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Heat Hope June 20 History Repeats Itself

MIAMI (CBSMiami) – June 20 holds a special place in Miami Heat history. It’s the anniversary of the team’s first NBA Championship and could become the date when the Big Three hoist a second straight title.

It was June 20, 2006 when Heat guard Dwyane Wade went off for 36 points and 10 rebounds in Game 6 of the NBA Finals to lead the team to its first championship ever. Wade capped the game by throwing the ball high into the rafters as time expired.

But the reason Wade chose to throw it skyward wasn’t necessarily just to celebrate the victory.

"There was two reasons why I threw it up in 2006," Wade said. "One, I always wanted to throw it up. Two, I just missed those two free throws just before that. I didn't want to get fouled again. I just hit six in a row, and then I missed two, and I was like, (forget) it. It was the perfect time."

Fast forward seven years and the Heat once again have the chance to hoist the Larry O’Brien trophy as NBA champions on June 20. The Heat takes on the San Antonio Spurs Thursday night in Miami to win back-to-back titles and celebrate another championship on June 20.

(TM and © Copyright 2013 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2013 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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