One of the most intriguing rivalries that have developed in the NBA over recent years is between the Miami Heat and Boston Celtics. This year is the third consecutive year they are meeting in the postseason and the fourth time in the last five years. The only time in this stretch they didn’t meet was in 2021 when Miami was swept by the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round.
Most of the time, when an 8-seed is matched up against a 1-seed, the top team isn’t giving them much mind. But, as we have come to learn, the Heat aren’t your ordinary eight seed. No matter who is in the lineup, they are going to be a very difficult team to beat.
In 2023, the Heat played their way through the NBA Play-In Tournament, earning the No. 8 seed. They would eventually advance to the NBA Finals, defeating the No. 2 seed Celtics in the Eastern Conference Finals in seven games.
In that series, Miami won the first three games before Boston battled back. In the decisive Game 7, the Celtics seemingly ran out of steam as the Heat went on the road and picked up a dominant 103-84 victory.
This time around, many people were predicting the Celtics would pick up a sweep. The Heat were entering the series short-handed, playing without their best player, Jimmy Butler, who injured his MCL in a Play-In Game against the Philadelphia 76ers.
Boston blew out Miami in Game 1, 114-94 and looked well on their way to cruising into the semifinal. But, the Heat had other plans, responding with an impressive 111-101 victory in Game 2. That led to Butler having some fun on social media and poking fun at Jaylen Brown.
Butler is referencing the comments Brown made during the 2023 Eastern Conference Finals when the Heat took a 3-0 lead. Even when he isn’t on the court with his teammates, Butler is finding a way to make life miserable for the Celtics and their fans.
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