The Boston Celtics and Miami Heat are locked in the Eastern Conference Finals in the playoffs after the Celtics defeated the talented Philadelphia 76ers led by league MVP Joel Embiid in seven games, and the Heat took care of business against the New York Knicks thanks to the heroics of Jimmy Butler. In one of the most anticipated Eastern Conference Finals showdowns in recent memory, the Celtics and Heat will likely go to battle in a series that should make highlights every week. The Celtics finished with the second-best record in the Eastern Conference at 57-25 and have two elite players in Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.
Miami was not respected until the playoffs because the team had to win two play-in games and had to defeat the number-one-seeded Milwaukee Bucks in the first round. Regardless, Miami has stuck to its guns and exceptional teamwork by finding itself in the Eastern Conference Finals for the second straight year. The Heat have a ton of warriors who compete on both ends of the court and defeating the Milwaukee Bucks and New York Knicks was no easy feat for the tough roster.
Not to mention, it won’t be an easy series for either side as both teams will compete at a high level with the intention of building momentum for a deep playoff run. We have already seen how good the Celtics can be (24-point Game 7 victory), while the Heat has reached special heights thanks to Jimmy Butler (31.1 PPG in playoffs). With Tuesday night coming closer until we see the Celtics and Heat head to battle, let’s do a comparison on the starters, bench, coaches, and key advantages before making a prediction.
Here is the full comparison between the Celtics and Heat in what will constitute an exciting matchup in the Eastern Conference Finals.
Starting Lineups
Boston Celtics: Marcus Smart, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, Al Horford, Robert Williams III
Miami Heat: Gabe Vincent, Max Strus, Jimmy Butler, Caleb Martin, Bam Adebayo
The Boston Celtics starting lineup usually consists of Marcus Smart as the defensive point guard, All-NBA Jaylen Brown as shooting guard, superstar Jayson Tatum as small forward, and Al Horford and Robert Williams III completing the frontcourt. Smart will provide his All-NBA quality defense while trying to shut out the opposing shooters from the perimeter. The same goes for Al Horford and Robert Williams III, two bigs who defend at a high level and focus on feeding off the stars.
No doubt, the stars in Boston are Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. The Celtics are relying greatly on Tatum’s heroics and Brown’s consistency throughout the playoffs this year, often opting for isolation scenarios. This won’t work as much as it did in previous rounds because Miami can lock in on star players, so moving the ball will be necessary for the Celtics to get back to the NBA Finals.
Meanwhile, the Heat has a great roster led by Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo. Vincent is posting 11.5 PPG in the playoffs so far and is a solid outside shooter and perimeter defender, a reason why Kyle Lowry is now a 6th man. Strus is nailing almost 37% from three in the postseason and is always a threat to make big shots. The power forward will be swapped between versatile two-way player Caleb Martin and sharpshooter Kevin Love, and if Boston goes big, Love could be inserted into the lineup more often, as we saw in the series against the New York Knicks.
Similar to how Tatum and Brown are the stars in Boston, the Heat’ season depends on Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo. Butler is one of the ten best players in the world in the playoffs, and his experience is a massive advantage for the Heat against a very experienced Celtics side. Not to mention, he is unstoppable when he attacks the rim and competes at a high level every second of the game. Bam Adebayo will also be critical for Miami to win the series because he will have his hands full with Horford and Williams III, two bigs who provide size and athleticism. If Butler and Bam play well, the Heat has a chance to win, but that is truly the only way.
Advantage: Boston Celtics
Bench
Boston Celtics: Payton Pritchard, Malcolm Brogdon, Derrick White, Sam Hauser, Justin Champagnie, Grant Williams, Luke Kornet
Miami Heat: Kyle Lowry, Duncan Robinson, Haywood Highsmith, Kevin Love, Omer Yurtseven, Udonis Haslem, Cody Zeller
The Celtics bench is far deeper now, thanks to the addition of Malcolm Brogdon. Brogdon won the 6th Man of the Year award and had a terrific regular season by posting 14.9 PPG, 4.2 RPG, and 3.7 APG on 44.4% from the three-point line. In the playoffs, Brogdon is averaging 14.8 PPG, 4.1 RPG, and 3.6 APG on 43.5% shooting from three. His shooting and playmaking will be critical for the Celtics when Tatum and Brown are resting.
Boston is also bolstered by All-NBA Defensive Team selection Derrick White who competes hard on defense and is also capable of nailing threes and making things happen by attacking the rim. The remaining Celtics players will play minimal minutes, with Grant Williams being the next-best forward who can shoot corner threes and compete on defense. Expect these three bench players to compete the most off the bench, with the remaining players getting garbage minutes.
Kyle Lowry is the biggest name on the Miami Heat bench because he is posting 10.1 PPG, 3.0 RPG, and 4.5 APG on 35.7% shooting from three. Lowry brings experience, defense, and timely shot-making, even if he has clearly aged and is certainly slower. Duncan Robinson is also getting more minutes as the games go by and is nailing 42.6% from three, meaning he will always be a threat to make shots when he is open. The same goes for Kevin Love, a talented shooter who also brings experience and timely plays as needed. Miami wants a bench of veterans and clutch players and they certainly have that, especially with Udonis Haslem acting as a coach on the bench.
As good as Miami’s veterans are, they cannot compare to a 6th Man of the Year, Brogdon, and an All-Defensive Team member Derrick White. Miami’s bench is past its prime, and even if they have some big games, they are not as good as Boston’s talented bench.
Advantage: Boston Celtics
Joe Mazzulla vs. Erik Spoelstra
Joe Mazzulla and Erik Spoelstra are two of the most recognizable names in coaching right now. Joe Mazzulla is renowned for being a hardworking and committed coach and has been an important figure in the success of the team throughout the year, especially with Ime Udoka dealing with some surprising off-court actions. As we have seen, Mazzulla is an expert in developing game strategies and seems to be a player’s coach because he trusts each and every one of his key players and certainly loves them to the core.
Erik Spoelstra, on the other hand, is an elite NBA head coach with extensive experience. He has been with the Miami Heat since 1995, having started as a video coordinator and worked his way up to head coach. With numerous accolades and achievements to his name, Spoelstra has been instrumental in the success of the Heat during his time with the organization. Remember, Spoelstra has led the team to two NBA championships, showcasing his abilities to coach and develop winning teams. Mimai’s coach is renowned for his cool and collected demeanor, and his ability to connect with his players on a personal level.
Both Joe Mazzulla and Erik Spoelstra are accomplished coaches with their unique styles of coaching. However, Spoelstra has far more experience and has been through the trenches and the ups and downs that the playoffs offer. He has developed a perfect relationship with Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo, Udonis Haslem, and the leaders of the team and that will mean the Heat have a coaching advantage.
Advantage: Miami Heat
Boston Celtics Advantages
The Boston Celtics are exceptionally talented, with a very deep roster. They have a legitimate superstar in Jayson Tatum, an elite two-way All-Star in Jaylen Brown, and one of the best collections of defensive players in the world. Joe Mazzulla has also kept the Celtics a dominant side in terms of moving the ball and getting good shots, especially when the ball is fed to the All-Stars. Boston ranked 5th in OPPG and 3rd in defensive rating this season, so even without Udoka, the Celtics defend at a hellacious level when they are locked in.
Of course, there is no answer for Jayson Tatum when he is feeling it right now. The superstar is too athletic, skilled, and focused to handle one-on-one and he will dictate the series. Not to mention, there are elite shooters around Tatum. Brown, Smart, Brogdon, and White can also stretch the floor enough to give Tatum options to pass the ball. The Celtics do not have a weakness from top to bottom and the only thing that can truly defeat them is superstar power from the opposition.
Miami Heat Advantages
The Heat have Jimmy Butler, one of the greatest players in the world. Butler is 33 years old and seems to be getting better with age as each playoff series goes by. Butler also has playoff experience and is one of the best leaders in the NBA, and that will be an advantage over a Celtics side that will have to focus on keeping the clamps on the 6-time All-Star, which will be easier said than done. Butler is currently posting over 30 PPG in the playoffs, along with playing superstar perimeter defense.
Miami also has the best coach in the series and Spoelstra knows his players will compete in every possession. Adebayo, Vincent, Strus, Martin, Love, and Robinson will be taking most of the minutes on the floor around Butler and each one of them competes at an elite level. The Heat is incredibly confident, focused, and willing to do whatever it takes to win a single game. More so than any other team, Miami is always consistent in their effort and defense.
Who Is The Better Team In The Eastern Conference Finals?
There are several reasons why the Boston Celtics are the favorites to potentially defeat the Miami Heat in the playoffs and prove to be the better team. The first is Jayson Tatum, the Celtics’ All-Star forward, who is a matchup nightmare for any team. He has a perfect offensive skill set for a forward, with his passing ability and outside shot making him difficult to defend. His ability to draw fouls and get opposing players in foul trouble would be a major advantage for the Celtics against a Heat side that will struggle if Tatum gets hot.
The Celtics also have a strong defense, ranking in the top-5 in defense in the league during the regular season. They have the ability to switch and defend multiple positions, making it difficult for opposing offenses to find open shots and run their preferred sets. Boston also has elite two-way players, including Jaylen Brown, Marcus Smart, Al Horford, Robert Williams III, Malcolm Brogdon, and Derrick White. There are too many bodies that Boston can throw at Miami over the course of a seven-game series.
Miami can come close to what Boston can do on defense, mainly due to effort, but their season depends on Jimmy Butler. Does Butler have enough left in the tank to make the difference? He is averaging 39.1 MPG in the playoffs so far and is dealing with some knocks, including an ankle injury he suffered in the series against the New York Knicks. If Jimmy can be the superstar he has been all year in the playoffs, Miami can push this series to seven games. Not to mention, Strus, Lowry, Vincent, and Robinson will all need to have big games in terms of three-point makes because, without heavy production from the perimeter, Boston will have a chance to earn multiple wins in the series in convincing fashion.
It seems unlikely that the Heat will have enough in the tank to take on the Boston Celtics and win the series in the end because Jimmy Butler might have to return to Earth at least a few games during the season. The Celtics have more talent and a better All-Star duo, so they will have the advantage even if the Heat have the coaching advantage. Anything can happen, as we have seen time and time again in the modern NBA, but the Miami Heat might succumb to the talent and exceptional defense of the Boston Celtics as the guys in green return to the NBA Finals after six games.
Prediction: Boston Celtics vs. Miami Heat 4-2
