Florida Panthers, Miami Heat Defy Odds By Advancing to Their Respective Conference Finals

The Miami Heat defeated the New York Knicks in Game 6 Friday night while the Florida Panthers eliminated the Toronto Maple Leafs

The Miami Heat continued their wild postseason after eliminating the New York Knicks. 

They are just the second No. 8 seed to advance to the conference finals. 

And just like that, their hockey counterparts are approaching that same destination. The Florida Panthers are making a incredible playoff run after defeating the Toronto Maple Leafs in Game 5. They, too, advanced to face the Carolina Hurricanes, their first appearance in the conference finals since 1996.

No. 8️⃣ seeds from South Florida continue to shock the world 😎

♨️ Heat advance to their third Conference Final in four years
🐾 Panthers advance to their first Conference Final since 1996 pic.twitter.com/vPsxIWiDFd

— ESPN (@espn) May 13, 2023

Panthers center Nick Cousins, who scored the overtime goal to clinch the game, spoke about performing big in the moments of need.

“Our team’s built differently this year,” Cousins said. “I feel like we are bringing a certain style of game. I think it’s built for the playoffs. Big goal, big moment for our team, really special.”

Cousins was basically a fourth liner for Florida throughout the season but has taken the opportunity to shine in the playoffs. Perhaps he learned from his fellow basketball players about the “next man up mentality” within Heat Culture.

It might just be a South Florida thing this year. From Florida Atlantic and the Miami Hurricanes making the Final Four of the NCAA Tournament to the Dolphins nearly eliminating the Buffalo Bills with a third-string quarterback.

These teams didn’t come away with championships, but they may be setting the tone for a Panthers or Heat title going to South Florida. The Heat travel Wednesday night for Game 1 at either Philadelphia or Boston. The Panthers play the Carolina Hurricanes to open their conference finals.

Jayden Armant is a contributor to Inside the Heat. He is a student at Howard University. He can be reached at jayden.armant@bison.howard.edu or follow him on Twitter @jaydenarmant.