The Celtics defeated the Bucks in their second-round series on Sunday, advancing to the Eastern Conference Finals for the fourth time in the last six seasons. They’ll play the Heat, who’ve made the conference finals in six of their last 12 seasons.
Boston and Miami have recent postseason history. The teams have met twice in the playoffs over the last decade, both times in the Eastern Conference Finals, with the Heat winning in 2012 and 2020. Both are regarded as strong defensive teams, and either franchise could easily win the championship this season.
Boston had home court advantage against the Bucks, but will start on the road against Miami. The Celtics made an NBA record 22 three-pointers in Game 7 on Sunday, receiving strong contributions from Grant Williams (27 points), Jayson Tatum (23 points) and Jaylen Brown (18 points).
Miami is coming off a series win against Philadelphia. The team caused issues for Trae Young in round one, then proceeded to hold the Sixers to an average of 96 points in the second round. The Heat have been led by Jimmy Butler on both ends — he’s averaging 28.7 points and 2.1 steals per game in the playoffs.
Both Boston and Miami are dealing with injuries to starting players. Celtics center Robert Williams III (left knee soreness) was active for Game 7, but he didn’t see any action. Heat guard Kyle Lowry, meanwhile, is still battling a hamstring injury.
The Celtics will likely continue deploying their switch-heavy defense, while the Heat may wait to see who Boston starts before finalizing matchups. The team could assign Butler and Tucker to Brown and Tatum, for example, but would have to live with Max Strus defending one of Boston’s big men. The Celtics could assign Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Smart to Butler.
Which team do you think will win this series? Will the Heat advance to the NBA Finals for the second time in the last three seasons, or will the Celtics return to the Finals and compete for an 18th title? Vote in our poll, then take to the comments section below to share your predictions!
I feel like Boston had a better matchup vs the Heat before the trades they made. I’ll be curious to see what rotation adjustments they make against them b/c these are relatively similar teams. I think Boston might need 1 of their shooters they havent been playing off their bench b/c I don’t think they win with the same rotation they just beat Milwaukee with…although I guess that also depends on if Lowry plays or not, and I could see Grant Williams and Al Horford presenting matchup problems
I think this series might come down to make or miss, to be honest
As an outsider I expect a close hard fought series. Going on a limb to say Heat in 7, but I expect it to be close either way. Give the edge to the Heat based on depth
Bucks fans spent more time crying than cheering, well earned exit.
Celtics will win it all this year unless Doncic already proves how stupid are most NBA gms and commenters
There’s some folks in San Francisco that think otherwise.
the guys that lost by 39 to Morant-less grizzlies?
Warriors still would have won even if Morant played.
Morant is awful on defense. So it all balances out.
Absolute truth
Dallas scares me. They are loaded with good shooters.
and one of the best players who unlike other tall, long and fat players depends only on basketball IQ
The Bucks pushed Celtics to 7 games without Middleton.
Are you talking about that Celtics team? Lol.
It s funny you failed to mention that the Celtics did not have the starting Center the entire series and Smart missed games as well.
Just curious how you even that out in your head.
Lol Middleton is Bucks’ second best player and their best scorer.
Smart only missed 1 game. And Williams is not as important a player as Middleton. Middleton was huge for the Bucks last year.
There’s no comparison.
Heat play better D than Celtics. I can see this go 7. Heat are winning this.
Same problem as the Knicks, better wings make this a better matchup for the C’s. Knicks don’t need a PG at this point let’s get a good wing…
Did you have the Bucks beating the C’s last series? Just curious I can’t remember your commentary going into the series.
The Celtics ranked #1 in defensive eFG%. eFG% on both sides of the court is the most important stat. No stat correlates with winning like eFG%.
did you expect aNY fan to endorse a Boston team???
I am in the minority on this one, C’s make quick work of heat. 5 or less
You know what that’s quite possible. Anything Can Happen. Anybody who says they know what’s going to happen is not telling the truth LOL
I agree. The Celtics are a better team from two years ago. Horford starts instead of Theis. Grant Williams is an improved player. They won’t be playing in an Orlando bubble. The addition of White is more significant than most people think, especially Celtics fans. His D, rebounding, and passing skills make him the solution for the #3 guard spot. As for his shooting, he’s excellent at FT line, which that he can be a capable 3pt shooter. He uncomfortable right now.
I’m a Heat fan, but the Celtics have the steam right now. Unless he gets in foul trouble, Tatum is unstoppable. Add Brown, Horford and the gang, and it’s a tough matchup
I’m saying Celtics in 6
Give me Boston in 7
Tatum vs Tucker, that’s nice but I rate Tatum.
Brown vs Butler I see Brown struggling.
Plus you have Lowry (returning), Oladipo and Bam. They will be with them every step of the way.
Butler Lowry Herro Oladipo vs Smart Brown Tatum White, Boston’s perimeter defence will be too good. I think Herro in particular will struggle.
Bam could play a big part with Rob Williams out but Al Horford has been known to be a beast occasionally.
I just think the Heat rely on Butler and Herro to much for their points and they will struggle when these two have a hard time. As for Celtics I see Tatum have issues with Tucker but overall should beat him. Expect big games from Smart, Horford and Williams.
Heat in six but Warriors will be the Champs…
Yes but that’s very possible, but look at Dallas’s length and defense, especially tonight !! Hope the Warriors can survive that and put a little clamp on Luca and Jalen Brunson. My goodness Mavericks by 50 at one point.. and IN Phoenix. Wow.
It’s quite possible the Warriors are just as ice cold in a couple games against the Mavericks and the series is over.
he final is celtics- Mavericks
The CELTS haven’t won in a long time, yet that hasn’t stopped ESPN and all of these big sports entities to hype them up year after year.
Just imagine what a championship would do to the loudness levels of Bill Simmons, Lowe, O’ Conner, McMullan, and all these other white beat-writers.
Mike…, “white” beat writers? I don’t get it.. are all the Celtics beat writers White? Or do all white beat writers loudly proclaim the greatness of the Celtics?
Come on now, you know you can’t generalize a person’s makeup or team Allegiance based on skin color. That’s a very strange take.
Plus, if the Celtics win the championship this year, is it wrong to celebrate after such a long time between rings? I’ll tell you that if the Warriors win I’ll be celebrating loudly for weeks..
Dude… it’s because it’s the Celtics maybe? Are you blind to the history of the NBA?
Great, find a racial angle. /s
Sixers Bucks and the Suns all pooped their pants in round 2
C’s till the end, what a journey it would be
Celtics in 5. Heat can match the Cs defensively but not offensively. I don’t know who besides Butler and Lowry can even score 10 points against a competent defense.
And Lowry might not even play.
Accurate assessment.
Celtics in six. They are on fire and their shooter can play D unlike the heat. They will let Butler have his but will lockdown the other players
If healthy Heat destroy Boston.