The Miami Heat just got snubbed in a huge way and the fans are not happy about it.
While the vast majority of the upcoming NBA schedule is still unknown, we have learned the games that will be featured during Christmas Day 2022.
We will see the Los Angeles Lakers fight against the Dallas Mavericks, the Philadelphia 76ers play against the New York Knicks, and the Golden State Warriors take on the Memphis Grizzlies.
But there is no Miami Heat game on the list and that is causing many to be upset.
Finals appearances since 2000
Heat 6
76ers 1Championships since 2000
Heat 3
76ers 0Playoff rounds last season
Heat 3
76ers 2
(head to head)Christmas Day games this season
Heat 0
76ers 1— Five Reasons Sports (@5ReasonsSports) August 15, 2022
Miami sports mainstay Five Reasons Sports compared the Heat with the 76ers as a way to show why Miami deserved a spot on Christmas Day.
Five Reasons Sports reminded people that the Heat have had six Finals appearances since 2000 while the 76ers have had one.
Miami secured three championships since the start of the century while Philadelphia hasn’t won any.
The Heat played in three playoff rounds last season while the 76ers only played in two (and got eliminated by the Heat, no less).
All of this adds up to a huge snub, according to followers of the Heat.
No Christmas In South Beach
It is true that the Heat have had more success than the 76ers lately but Philadelphia is seen as a preferred team for multiple reasons.
For one, they have Joel Embiid who was darn close to winning MVP last season.
Secondly, Philadelphia is a major media market and one of the biggest cities in the country.
Thirdly, they have a little rivalry building with the Knicks and that could bring in a lot of viewers.
The Heat are, frankly, not as flashy as the 76ers and although Jimmy Butler is a bonafide superstar, the team lacks some of the flashy pizazz the NBA wants in a Christmas Day game.
But make no mistake: the Heat might get the last laugh next season.
They will sit out of Christmas Day but there is a good chance they could outdo the 76ers (again) in the long run.
