It only lacked a handful of 3-point baskets for Duncan Robinson to dethrone LeBron James in the ranking of the most prolific outside shooters in the history of the Heat in the playoffs.
After taking second place by beating Mario Chalmers at the end of Game 2 of the conference final against Boston, the Miami rear / winger continued his momentum in Game 3 on Sunday by snapping 22 points to 5 /7 to 3-pointers, as many uppercuts which helped to falter the Celtics (128-102).
With 124 outside baskets in the postseason, he is therefore at the top of the franchise rankings, ahead of LeBron James and his 123 3-point baskets scored between 2010 and 2014. This is another record for the one who is also in the lead in club history in the regular season (825), ahead of Tim Hardaway (806).
“I already feel lucky to have already been able to pass some names who have worn this jersey, particularly on the regular season standings. So to be able to make it into playoff history is definitely something special. I realize what it means”, did he declare before evoking the “Big Three” which prevailed in Miami when he was a teenager. “I remember watching this team a lot.”
The pleasure of playing again before the rest
As an exercise specialist, Duncan Robinson only needed 52 playoff games to reach this total, while LeBron James had 87.
But what delights him more than anything is being able to see the field again, as he comes out of two games in a row with 15 points and more, a first this season, during which he has not always been in the rotation of Erik Spoelstra. The situation has since changed with the packages of Victor Oladipo and Tyler Herro on the external positions.
“Of course, as a competitor, we always want to contribute to victory by being on the field,” he added. “So it definitely feels good to have an opportunity, just to be able to help us win and move on. That’s the most important thing at this time of year, to help the team win and keep extending the season.”
Whatever happens during Game 4, Duncan Robinson will have the opportunity to extend his new record thereafter.
| Duncan Robinson | Percentage | Bounces | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Crew | GM | Minimum | Shots | 3 points | LF | Off | Def | Early | pd | party | Int | bp | CT | Points |
| 2018-19 | MIA | 15 | 11 | 39.1 | 28.6 | 66.7 | 0.1 | 1.1 | 1.3 | 0.3 | 0.7 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 3.3 |
| 2019-20 | MIA | 73 | 30 | 47.0 | 44.6 | 93.1 | 0.1 | 3.0 | 3.2 | 1.4 | 2.6 | 0.5 | 1.0 | 0.3 | 13.5 |
| 2020-21 | MIA | 72 | 31 | 43.9 | 40.8 | 82.7 | 0.1 | 3.4 | 3.5 | 1.8 | 2.5 | 0.6 | 1.1 | 0.3 | 13.1 |
| 2021-22 | MIA | 79 | 26 | 39.9 | 37.2 | 83.6 | 0.3 | 2.3 | 2.6 | 1.6 | 2.5 | 0.5 | 0.8 | 0.2 | 10.9 |
| 2022-23 | MIA | 42 | 17 | 37.1 | 32.8 | 90.6 | 0.2 | 1.5 | 1.6 | 1.1 | 1.8 | 0.3 | 0.7 | 0.0 | 6.4 |
| Total | 281 | 26 | 42.9 | 39.9 | 86.6 | 0.2 | 2.6 | 2.8 | 1.5 | 2.4 | 0.5 | 0.9 | 0.2 | 11.1 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Shots made / Shots attempted; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def= defensive rebound; Tot = Total bounces; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost bullets; Ct: Counters; Points = Points.
