The Miami Heat – Boston Celtics rivalry will be renewed on Sunday in the first round of the NBA Playoffs. The biggest storyline is that Jimmy Butler is injured and will not play in the series. Boston is the #1 seed in the Eastern Conference and is very strong. This is the best chance Boston has to beat Miami. Stephen A. Smith said last night that the only way Miami won last season was that Jayson Tatum was hurt.
Rivalry point #3 — Is Jimmy Butler the key vs. Boston?
As a Miami sports fan, I cannot stand anything related to Boston Sports. The Celtics have always been a competitor and “a measuring stick” for the Heat, i.e. “If we beat Boston, we’re good.” They are a team that brings out the best in Miami fans (and worst.) Lebron’s Game 6 in Boston when the Heat were down 3-2 was magical. Game 7 in Miami in 2022 was tragic. Game 7 in Boston last season was triumphant.
This article here on NESN.com says that Miami fans chanting “We Want Boston” in last night’s game is funny. The article highlights that asking for Boston spells doom for that team. Jimmy Butler has been the main player in the Heat’s success against Boston, i.e. Jimmy vs. Grant Williams last season. Wouldn’t the Heat’s defensive scheme be able to neutralize the Celtics? Is it Jimmy or Miami that has had success against the Celtics.
Rivalry point #2 — Miami’s defense will win them two games, at least.
Boston has never been able to deal with Miami’s defense. Jimmy Butler has been the “tip of the spear” to lead the defense, but the gameplan is still in place. Every player tries 150% so if Boston will sweep Miami, they need to be ready. This article here from Celticsblog.com shows a great analysis of Boston and Miami, i.e. the Celtics will beat Miami via mid-range shooting. Miami’s coaching is a big intangible and this article here via The Athletic explains how the Heat defensive gameplan against the Bulls led to the win.
Rivalry point #1 — Miami has to solve the offensive droughts.
Last night against the Bulls, the Heat offense was percolating in the first quarter. In the second, they resorted to three point shots and committed six turnovers. Look at this article here on our site from Jordan Leturgez on the game results. The offense didn’t draw any fouls and the ball stuck. This has been a pattern for the Heat during the season. At one point, either Kyle Lowry or Jimmy Butler would “slow the game” by drawing fouls or getting points.
Tyler Herro will be the #1 option for the Heat offense. At one point, Herro will begin forcing up shots. Yahoo Sports puts in their article here that the Celtics will “gentleman sweep” the Heat in 5 games. These predictions are on paper–let’s play the games.
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