MIAMI – Heat swingman Caleb Martin is feeling closer to 100% after dealing with chills, body aches and a “heavy, heavy migraine” during the first two games against the Denver Nuggets in the NBA Finals.
“I am feeling better now – definitely a lot better,” Martin said Tuesday ahead of Wednesday’s Game 3 at Kaseya Center, with the series tied 1-1.
“I feel like I’ve almost got it out of my system, so definitely feeling a lot better than I did the last two games … Just a couple of these meds and I’ll be alright.”
Martin was a playoff breakthrough for the Heat during the Eastern Conference final, averaging 19.3 points on 60 percent shooting, including a 26-point effort during Game 7 against the Boston Celtics to propel Miami to its seventh NBA Finals.
But during the first two games against the Nuggets in Denver, Martin has been a shell of that player, scoring a total of six points on two made shots.
Despite his symptoms, Martin made two crucial plays during Game 2 to help the Heat tie the series.
Martin was able to hit a stepback 3-pointer in the corner in the fourth quarter, and he pulled down the game-ending rebound following Jamal Murray’s missed 3-pointer over Heat star Jimmy Butler.
“Anywhere I can contribute, you know what I mean, and impact the game, I’m going to do it,” Martin said.
“I might not have really been too effective offensively in the game, but at a time I needed to knock one down, I did it.”
Martin has no issue playing whatever role is necessary to help the Heat win.
Whether he returns to help as a 20-point scorer or stout defender and rebounder remains to be seen.
Martin believes his defensive prowess suits him best in a series against Murray and Nuggets two-time league MVP Nikola Jokić. Martin has nine total rebounds, with a block and steal in each game during the Finals.
“This is definitely more of a series that they’ve got two of the best players and scorers in the league right now, so this is definitely a defensive series for me to lock in, and I’ll take offense when I can,” Martin said.
