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Former NBA player-facing TV star Charles Barkley is not a fan of Miami Heat tro-stroke.
Miami’s beloved NBA franchise became the first 10.
Being the eighth seed for the post -season meant that the heat would meet the top seeded Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round.
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Charles Barkley talks to the media before Game 4 in the 2024 NBA final between Dallas Mavericks and Boston Celtics at the American Airlines Center 14 June 2024 in Dallas, Texas. (Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
The heat briefly came up in the first two matches in the first round of eastern conference series. Before the game 3 tilted in Miami on Saturday, Barkley took a moment to take a jab at heat fans.
“It’s not a tough environment [to play in]”Said Barkley during the Pregame broadcast with reference to Kaseya Center, Heat’s Home Arena.” It’s not a tough environment. “
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Hall of Famer then mentioned how the heat overcomes the odds of the play-in tournament to get to the playoffs.
“Yes, but it’s still not a hostile environment,” he added.
Former Phoenix Suns player Charles Barkley present at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Ariz., January 21, 2023. (Mark J. Revilas/USA Today Sports)
This is not the first time Barkley has shared his dissatisfaction for heat fans. After LeBron James, Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade joined forces in Miami in the 2010-11 season, Barkley suggested that Heat’s Fanbase mostly consisted of Fair-Weather fans. Barkley has also previously claimed that heat fans were among the worst in the NBA.
The Heat Lost Game 3, 124-87, their worst playoff loss ever, and Cavs took a 3-0 series lead. Cavs took control of a 33-5 race early, exceeded Miami 46-29 and Outscored Heat 60-30 in the paint.
Cleveland Cavaliers -Guard Donovan Mitchell responds after scoring against Miami Heat in the third quarter of match 2 in the first round of 2025 NBA endgil at Kaseya Center in Miami, Fla., April 26, 2025. (SAM NAVARRO/IMAGN -PICTURES)
“Our guys knew it was the key, rebounding and won the rebounding,” said Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson. “We really executed defensively.”
Evan Mobley scored 19 points and Max Strap added 18 for Cleveland. Ty Jerome had 13 points and 11 assists in 22 minutes.
Heat Coach Erik Spoelstra recognized the hardship on the field that his team has had to fight through over the past several weeks.
“Look, our guys really want this, and it probably looks like our guys don’t,” Spoelstra said. “But I know what our last six weeks have been, just to fight and scratch and itch to get into this.”
Game 4 is scheduled for Monday.
