Duncan Robinson’s playoff revival moves him past Chalmers and on verge of LeBron in Heat record book
Duncan Robinson #DuncanRobinson
MIAMI – During the regular season, the pursuit was real. Duncan Robinson made sure to first eclipse Tim Hardaway’s Miami Heat record for career 3-pointers before pausing his season four days later for hand surgery.
During these playoffs, Robinson said he was unaware of the record book.
Nonetheless, in Friday night’s Game 2 victory over the Boston Celtics at TD Garden in these best-of-seven Eastern Conference finals, Robinson’s three 3-pointers moved him past Mario Chalmers for second on the franchise all-time postseason list.
That had Robinson four short of LeBron James’ Heat career postseason record of 123 entering Sunday night’s Game 3 at Kaseya Center.
“I’m fortunate enough to have caught some people that have worn this jersey, particularly in the regular season,” Robinson said. “So to be able to do it in the playoffs, as well, is definitely a special thing. So I don’t take it for granted at all.”
James set his Heat career 3-point record in 87 playoff appearances. Robinson, by contrast, went into Sunday with 26 career playoff appearances, all with the Heat.
Robinson said there is an appreciation of passing one member of the Heat’s Big Three playoff teams (Chalmers) and closing in on another (James).
“I remember watching a lot of that team,” said Robinson, 29, who was 16 at the start of the Heat’s Big Three era.
Out of the rotation at times during the latter stages of the regular season, Robinson has found a place in the playoff mix with both Tyler Herro and Victor Oladipo sidelined by playoff injuries.
“I mean, of course, obviously, as a competitor you want to contribute on the floor to winning,” he said of his postseason revival. “Definitely feels good to have an opportunity just to help us win and advance. That’s obviously the most important thing this time of year, is to help us win and continue to extend the season.”
Of benefit, Robinson said, has been having Heat shooting coach Rob Fodor around more often this season.
“He’s great,” Robinson said. “Rob and I have worked countless hours together this season, offseason, practice days, game days, the whole thing. He’s got a unique perspective on the game as a whole, but in particular shooting. And he’s definitely somebody that’s always been an advocate for me and been in my corner and definitely helped me throughout my career.”
Vincent’s thoughts
Guard Gabe Vincent was asked at Sunday morning’s shootaround about ESPN’s forecast model that still had the Celtics as series favorites despite the Heat’s 2-0 series lead going into Game 3.
“We don’t care, at all,” Vincent said, emphasizing the latter two words. “I don’t think we’re never really picked for anything, to be honest. So we believe in each other. We believe in what we can do. We’re just going to try to continue to play good basketball and go from there.”
Vincent also was asked about the NBA’s after-the-fact officiating report ruling his three-shot foul late in Game 2 against Celtics forward Jayson Tatum should not have been called a foul.
“I’m glad it wasn’t a foul,” he said. “They came out and said it.”
Still pushing
Center Bam Adebayo stressed ahead of Sunday’s game that a series lead only carried so much weight.
“I won’t be satisfied since we raise one,” he said of a championship banner.
He also downplayed the underdog angle of being a No. 8 seed.
“For us, I do feel like we’ve got a chip on our shoulder anyway,” he said.
As for the absence of Herro, Adebayo said the plan was to step up, regardless.
“I feel like I was going to do that anyway,” he said of the uptick in his offensive aggression. “But definitely given the opportunity to have the ball in my hand more, it’s being able to be more aggressive and making decisions.”
Forward Caleb Martin agreed.
“Things are going to happen for him when he’s just aggressive in general,” Martin said.
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