NBA FINALS: HEAT VS. NUGGETS

June 11, 2023

Gabe Vincent

Miami Heat

Practice Day

Q. What has the mood been around practice lately?

GABE VINCENT: The mood has been the same. We know what we're capable of. We're optimistic, and we're looking forward to Game 5.

Q. Your season has been filled with so many peaks and valleys, but typically after a valley there's been a peak. How optimistic are you guys knowing you've been through an up-and-down season and that ups typically follow downs?

GABE VINCENT: Yeah, just about at this point we've almost seen everything under the sun. We're just looking forward to it. We've been keeping things pretty in house, and we're a pretty confident group.

Q. What is different about this Nuggets team than some of your opponents in the postseason?

GABE VINCENT: I think they play a different brand of basketball than most of the league. I think the way they cut, the way Joker is able to facilitate and still be aggressive to score, and obviously the challenge of Jamal Murray.

They have a lot of different weapons. They play a little different style, and it's been effective for them throughout.

Q. Obviously Kevin was on the one and only team that came back from being down 3-1 in the Finals. What advice has he given you guys just knowing that this can be done?

GABE VINCENT: Just continue to believe in what we are capable of and what we've been doing all year. Come into Game 5 with the right mentality and sense of urgency.

Q. Spo called you one of the most ignitable players he's ever coached. How do you catch fire?

GABE VINCENT: One play at a time. That's how. That's high praise from a legendary coach, so I'm grateful to hear that.

Q. When you struggle, how do you flush it and have that short memory and then go forward?

GABE VINCENT: It's just one game. Whether it's a good game or a career high or career low, it's still just one game, and everything resets when that final buzzer rings.

Q. Kevin had a baby today. Is that going to be inspiration for him going into the game tomorrow?

GABE VINCENT: I'm sure. I'm sure that's a weight off his shoulders to have a healthy baby born and to have a healthy mom there taking care of the baby.

We're happy for him and we're happy to welcome a new member to his family.

Q. How much are the bigs hurting your shots during the games?

GABE VINCENT: I think every team we've played this playoff run we've been called undersized, so I don't think we're going to use that as an excuse now.