Eastern Conference Finals (Heat vs Celtics)

[Japinat]

I would go for Celtics vs Heat. Since Giannis tried to carry his whole team in game 6 but it wasnt enough to overcome the deficit. Bucks needs someone to shoulder the Burden but Middleton is out while Holiday played terrible.

He carried the team in all the games in this series, but we also see some contributions from his teammates like Holiday and other guys are also stepping up. Giannis just have to minimize his outside attempt, it's a low percentage shot, instead, he should attack the rim and pass the ball when doubled.

Celtics been improving their defence every game.

Not true, otherwise they win every game.

[Scripture]

Just in, Celtics dethroned the defending champion and will advance to the Easter Conference Finals.
What a winning statement from Celtics for the delight of the crowd. 28 points lead is really big, it looks like Bucks already give up and stop playing. Well it will be Heat vs Celtics this will be a hard one for Celtics but who knows, they might have the good shot here.

[Yogee]

.... 28 points lead is really big, it looks like Bucks already give up and stop playing.

I find that disrespectful. Giannis kept on playing until there were only two minutes left if I am not mistaken. They still played defense and tried to close the gap but it wasn't their day.

.... Well it will be Heat vs Celtics this will be a hard one for Celtics but who knows, they might have the good shot here.

It will be a hard one for the Heat too. Celtics may even have a slight edge in thos series. There are intangibles gained from defeating the defending champs.

[SamboNZ]

I would go for Celtics vs Heat. Since Giannis tried to carry his whole team in game 6 but it wasnt enough to overcome the deficit. Bucks needs someone to shoulder the Burden but Middleton is out while Holiday played terrible.

He carried the team in all the games in this series, but we also see some contributions from his teammates like Holiday and other guys are also stepping up. Giannis just have to minimize his outside attempt, it's a low percentage shot, instead, he should attack the rim and pass the ball when doubled.

Celtics been improving their defence every game.

Not true, otherwise they win every game.

Celtics defence again proved solid thats why Bucks scored terrible.

Not true, otherwise they win every game.

I like your logic,  improving = 100% win. He is passing the ball when doubled but his teammates are shooting terrible, its like that you dont even watch the games.

[Velvet78]

We have Heat vs Celtics in the Eastern Conference Finals as it seems.    But I must indicate that I was very amused by Celtics' amazing performance against Bucks. They demolished Bucks by 109-81 and won the series 4-3. I believe that Celtics definitely deserved to advance to this round. And as for this draw in the conference finals, I think Celtics are still going to be the closest side to eliminate their opponent.

[harizen]

It's not Boston Celtics vs Miami Heat

Boston Celtics seem to have far better performance compared to Miami Heat overall this playoff. Why? I looked at their all losses and check the stats. The Celtics during their losses still established good stats in most cases. As for Miami Heat, I've checked some of their losses and they are really at worst on those nights.

However, Heat is much different today. I'm sure, for every team that Miami Heat faces, there's always a different adjustment.

Still, I can't say who has the upper edge. Both teams are equal to me. After all, they finished 1st and 2nd in the Eastern Conference.

[Baofeng]

It has been settled now, and it's Heat vs the Celtics in the Eastern Conference Finals. I will say that I will be biased on this one, as I have an outright bet for the Heat to win the Conference Finals. But it might be a tough road for them as the Celtics is also a well balance team like team. Both have shooters, good ball handlers, defenders. The X factor might be the bench scoring, the team that will have the best bench players every game will take this series.

[SamboNZ]

It has been settled now, and it's Heat vs the Celtics in the Eastern Conference Finals. I will say that I will be biased on this one, as I have an outright bet for the Heat to win the Conference Finals. But it might be a tough road for them as the Celtics is also a well balance team like team. Both have shooters, good ball handlers, defenders. The X factor might be the bench scoring, the team that will have the best bench players every game will take this series.

Heat should win game 1 since they have a longer resting period compared to Celtics but who knows, my opinion is heat isn't that consistent in their shooting. Unlike Celtics someone can take over when the lead scorers are missing shots.

[Yamifoud]

It has been settled now, and it's Heat vs the Celtics in the Eastern Conference Finals. I will say that I will be biased on this one, as I have an outright bet for the Heat to win the Conference Finals. But it might be a tough road for them as the Celtics is also a well balance team like team. Both have shooters, good ball handlers, defenders. The X factor might be the bench scoring, the team that will have the best bench players every game will take this series.

Heat should win game 1 since they have a longer resting period compared to Celtics but who knows, my opinion is heat isn't that consistent in their shooting. Unlike Celtics someone can take over when the lead scorers are missing shots.

But Heat are good at their home court, they never lose a single game yet in the playoffs, so I expect to see them play with heart and take game 1. I'm sure people are still betting on the Celtics because of their good showing, but difference series, we will certainly witness a different game.

[ultrloa]

It has been settled now, and it's Heat vs the Celtics in the Eastern Conference Finals. I will say that I will be biased on this one, as I have an outright bet for the Heat to win the Conference Finals. But it might be a tough road for them as the Celtics is also a well balance team like team. Both have shooters, good ball handlers, defenders. The X factor might be the bench scoring, the team that will have the best bench players every game will take this series.

Heat should win game 1 since they have a longer resting period compared to Celtics but who knows, my opinion is heat isn't that consistent in their shooting. Unlike Celtics someone can take over when the lead scorers are missing shots.

But Heat are good at their home court, they never lose a single game yet in the playoffs, so I expect to see them play with heart and take game 1. I'm sure people are still betting on the Celtics because of their good showing, but difference series, we will certainly witness a different game.

All play with their heart also both of this team is hungry for championship. Also we can say that both Celtics and Heat are well poise this season so we will see an exciting game between them. But for this selection I will go with Celtics because this team is much improve team and what I think they are much stronger than heat(IMO).

[stadus]

@OP, you can now edit the thread.

It's official now, Heat vs Celtics will be playing in the Eastern Conference Finals.
This is a good match-up IMO, both teams have their own star players who are consistent in the playoffs so far.

By the way, in their head-to-head matchup, in their last 3 games, Celtics lead by winning 2 out of 3.

[Kelvinid]

Game 1 tomorrow.

Heat vs Celtics, heat is -2 at home.
As reported, Marcus Smart is questionable in game 1, but I still think Celtics will have a good fight in game 1, they have won games without Marcus smart, so it's not a big loss.

https://www.slamonline.com/nba/celtics-announce-marcus-smart-is-questionable-for-game-1-against-heat/

[Distraction]

Heat - Celtics series is starting tonight. For Game 1, bookmakers are favouring Heat but there is not an enormous gap too. Honestly I'm waiting for seeing a quite competitive start to this series. After seeing Celtics against Bucks like that, my expectation level from them has increased a lot honestly. Heat are another very tough opponent but we might see this series ending by seven games too. Anyway, I'm favouring Celtics to start with a win.

[Questat]

Game 1 tomorrow.

Heat vs Celtics, heat is -2 at home.
As reported, Marcus Smart is questionable in game 1, but I still think Celtics will have a good fight in game 1, they have won games without Marcus smart, so it's not a big loss.

https://www.slamonline.com/nba/celtics-announce-marcus-smart-is-questionable-for-game-1-against-heat/

Horford did not win as well, actually, Celtics had a good start until they loss their defense in the 2nd half, particularly in the 3rd quarter. It was a good game though because Celtics aren't giving up, so I believe this series will be long, probably game 7.

[Jating]

Game 1 tomorrow.

Heat vs Celtics, heat is -2 at home.
As reported, Marcus Smart is questionable in game 1, but I still think Celtics will have a good fight in game 1, they have won games without Marcus smart, so it's not a big loss.

https://www.slamonline.com/nba/celtics-announce-marcus-smart-is-questionable-for-game-1-against-heat/

Horford did not win as well, actually, Celtics had a good start until they loss their defense in the 2nd half, particularly in the 3rd quarter. It was a good game though because Celtics aren't giving up, so I believe this series will be long, probably game 7.

I hope Horford and Marcus will get back sooner to make this happened. You notice already how weak there defense during 2nd half and that's because they have limited players capable of covering main players for there rest. Tatum and Brown both play more than 43 mins just to keep up woth the heat unlike when the 2 injured players is available because they can rotate and get the work done properly. I notice too how tight Tucker defending Tatum even on just a free throw rebound. It seems Tucker got this special assignment from coach eric.

Yeah, Tucker defending Tatum.

While Butler is free to roam, no one can stop him not even Tatum and Brown, Pritchard? too small, Butler just shooting over him. And then Butler also can take Tatum in the defensive end. But we will like a series wherein both are healthy. So the Celtics need the services of Horford and specially Marcus Smart who will be defending Butler so that is a good matchup to watch.

[yazher]

Horford did not win as well, actually, Celtics had a good start until they loss their defense in the 2nd half, particularly in the 3rd quarter. It was a good game though because Celtics aren't giving up, so I believe this series will be long, probably game 7.

I was shocked when I saw the score when I returned to watch the game and it seems like they were just lucky sinking those shots in the 1st half but they cannot stop the counter strategy of the Miami Heat in the 2nd half which lead to their 1st lose in this series. I was expecting this to happen because so far, Horford and Smart have been one of the main keys to reaching up to this point, and without them, it would be just some kind of a throwaway game since the Miami Heat has already adopted and managed to survive without Lowry in the playoffs.

[inthelongrun]

I took a bet on Miami Heat only after I read the news that Marcus Smart and Al Horford were not playing.  

But what a game! I was surprised when Celtics dominated and was leading double digit in the first half. I was thinking that maybe the youth on both Tatum and Brown are just too fast to handle. I was a bit discouraged, I quit watching for some minutes and went on to water my plants. When I came back, the game was already close. Jimmy Butler's accuracy and Miami Heat's hustle made the difference.

Game 2 will be more interesting as Horford and Smart are expected to play. I hope Pj Tucker is just fine.

[Maslate]

I took a bet on Miami Heat only after I read the news that Marcus Smart and Al Horford were not playing.  

But what a game! I was surprised when Celtics dominated and was leading double digit in the first half. I was thinking that maybe the youth on both Tatum and Brown are just too fast to handle. I was a bit discouraged, I quit watching for some minutes and went on to water my plants. When I came back, the game was already close. Jimmy Butler's accuracy and Miami Heat's hustle made the difference.

Game 2 will be more interesting as Horford and Smart are expected to play. I hope Pj Tucker is just fine.

We hope to see a healthy team against a healthy team.

With Horford and Smart back in the line up, Celtics will be able to match the Heat very well, and we might see a very close game since Celtics will try to steal one game on the road. I expect that this series will be long, I love to see a game 6 or 7 if possible, so Celtics should now allow they'll go down 0-2 in the series.

[Johnyz]

I took a bet on Miami Heat only after I read the news that Marcus Smart and Al Horford were not playing.  

But what a game! I was surprised when Celtics dominated and was leading double digit in the first half. I was thinking that maybe the youth on both Tatum and Brown are just too fast to handle. I was a bit discouraged, I quit watching for some minutes and went on to water my plants. When I came back, the game was already close. Jimmy Butler's accuracy and Miami Heat's hustle made the difference.

Game 2 will be more interesting as Horford and Smart are expected to play. I hope Pj Tucker is just fine.

I have the same thought and seriously, I did stop watching it know that Celtics really dominates the first half but I was shock to see online that Miami really won the game 1 and that's a big surprise to me that they even have a huge lead in the first game. Well, Celtics did a great job in game one despite of the loss consider some players are missing with them but now in game 2, this will be more interesting to see Horford and Smart back, let's see if they can still contribute to the team. This will be a long series I believe.

[TravelMug]

I took a bet on Miami Heat only after I read the news that Marcus Smart and Al Horford were not playing.  

But what a game! I was surprised when Celtics dominated and was leading double digit in the first half. I was thinking that maybe the youth on both Tatum and Brown are just too fast to handle. I was a bit discouraged, I quit watching for some minutes and went on to water my plants. When I came back, the game was already close. Jimmy Butler's accuracy and Miami Heat's hustle made the difference.

Game 2 will be more interesting as Horford and Smart are expected to play. I hope Pj Tucker is just fine.

I have the same thought and seriously, I did stop watching it know that Celtics really dominates the first half but I was shock to see online that Miami really won the game 1 and that's a big surprise to me that they even have a huge lead in the first game. Well, Celtics did a great job in game one despite of the loss consider some players are missing with them but now in game 2, this will be more interesting to see Horford and Smart back, let's see if they can still contribute to the team. This will be a long series I believe.

The Heat made a huge comeback in the 3rd quarter so for sure you missed that great game. Nevertheless, this is just one game, and the Celtics are not healthy because they are missing the services of their 2 best defender. So this could be a long series, and maybe it will be Smart who will have the task to guard Butler and then we have two big man battling it out in the middle, Adebayo vs Big Al.