After a grueling seven game series victory over the Toronto Raptors in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, the Boston Celtics now get ready for another trip to the Eastern Conference Finals when they face the hottest team in the NBA playoffs the Miami Heat for a best of seven beginning Tuesday night.
I predicted a seven game loss to Toronto, but of course I am quite ok with the fact that Boston advanced in a series that I said was too close to call and could go either way in seven games. A big offensive night for Jayson Tatum and some good late game defense from Marcus Smart led Boston to a five point win Friday night in that game seven. The Celtics were 0.5 seconds away from going up 3-0 in the series, but a last second game winning three-point shot from the Raptors OG Anunoby got them back in it. Boston is playing in the Eastern Conference Finals for the third time in the last four years, and have won two of three regular season meetings against Miami. The Heat have been a great story in these playoffs, as the hottest team in the league going 8-1 and finishing off the top seeded Milwaukee Bucks impressively 4 games to 1 after a first round sweep over Indiana. Miami is playing in their first ECF series since 2012.
Boston (61-30) has been led by their big three in Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Kemba Walker. Walker didn’t have a good offensive series against Toronto and will need to step up more for the Celtics to go back to the NBA Finals for the first time since the 2009-10 season. Smart has provided a great spark logging more minutes in the absence of Gordon Hayward, doing it as usual with his defense but also turning it up offensively. He still is expected to play a big role even if Hayward who has been working out does return against Miami. The green have also gotten great bench contributions from Robert Williams III, Semi Ojeleye, and Brad Wanamaker. The Heat (55-35) have gotten most of their production out of Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo, Goran Dragic, Duncan Robinson, Tyler Herro, and former Celtics Jae Crowder and Kelly Olynyk. For Walker and Butler, it is their first ever appearance in a conference finals since they were both taken in the 2011 NBA draft.
Prediction- One key in this series is the play of Kemba Walker and his offensive output, which needs to be better. Also maybe the biggest key is Butler. Miami needs to get the same type play from him as they have in their first two series wins to have a chance. I expect Boston to be able to use Smart and their fourth best defense in the league to be able to slow down Butler and help the Celtics head back to the NBA Finals. BOSTON IN 6 GAMES.
(3) Boston vs (5) Miami schedule:
Game 1- Tues Sept 15 6:30 p.m.
Game 2- Thurs Sept 17 TBD
Game 3- Sat Sept 19 8:30 p.m.
Game 4- Mon Sept 21 TBD
*Game 5 Wed Sept 23 TBD
*Game 6 Fri Sept 25 TBD
*Game 7 Sun Sept 27 1 p.m.
*-if necessary
