ECF: (3) Boston Celtics vs Miami Heat (5) - Part 1

[Ill News]

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/29847095/nba-playoffs-why-next-chapter-heat-celtics-let-us-down

^This is a great preview for this series. I've been waiting for Celtics-Heat because these two teams have had a heated rivalry for the past decade.

Also, Danny Ainge vs. Pat Riley has been one of the most underrated rivalries in the NBA. These two have hated each other ever since the 80s, and they've been trying to outmaneuver each other as executives for years.

If you recall, Riley signed Ray Allen away from the Celtics. Ainge played a big part in breaking up the Heatles I think, when he took in some contracts from the Cavs that allowed LeBron to sign with them, then he beat Riley in the Hayward sweepstakes.

Then there was that infamous back-and-forth through the media in 2013, with Riley telling Ainge to "shut the **** up" and Ainge saying he doesn't want any part of Riley and his "Armani suits and all that hair goop."

Just two old guys still living off their hatred for each other from their Celtics-Lakers days

[Childs]

Both teams are likeable but I'm rooting for Jimmy. This guys character has been maligned and he's been called a cancer on this forum before. He's a competitor and he was just on a number of teams which didn't have any heart.

[Heat_team02]

Heat won the last matchup 112-106 on August 4th in the bubble Jimmy Butler did not play.

In the losses to the Celtics, the Heat had Dion Waiters, James Johnson, Justise Winslow, Chris Silva or Myers Leonard playing while the Celtics had Gordon Hayward.

[iamoti]

Heat in 5 or 6, im really confident we just have a better team. People who feel we dont match up well against the Celtics are judging us pre Crowder and Iggy trade. We have 5 very good defenders to throw at them in Bam Jimmy Iggy Crowder and DJJ. They dont have anything to match up with Bam

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[CeltsFlow]

Gonna stick with my guns and say Celtics in 6 as I had for every round so far

[FinNasty]

Let’s do this...

[Pumpkin17]

I feel like the Celtics have seen what the Heat can bring to the table already:
-Bam could be a problem but is not as phisically imposing as Embiid
- Heat defense is great but not as much as Toronto. Great hustle and heart is expected but again you cannot say Toronto has not put on a fight.

Probably a combination of these factors can create some trouble but Celtics are fare more battle tested than the Heat at this point. Celtics also have the only superstar even if I love Jimmy. Also, Hayward could be a factor.

Love both teams and would cheer hard for Miami against both LAs, have Celtics in 6.

[Heat_team02]

I feel like the Celtics have seen what the Heat can bring to the table already:
-Bam could be a problem but is not as phisically imposing as Embiid
- Heat defense is great but not as much as Toronto. Great hustle and heart is expected but again you cannot say Toronto has not put on a fight.

Probably a combination of these factors can create some trouble but Celtics are fare more battle tested than the Heat at this point. Celtics also have the only superstar even of I love Jimmy. Also, Hayward could be a factor.

Love both teams and would cheer hard for Miami against both LAs, have Celtics in 6.

Bringing Hayward into the mix would not be wise at this juncture.

Celtics have a tougher road this time around. They will be facing multiple shooters and drivers that will be passing into Bam. No more Waiters ball or James Johnson fumbling passes.

[WHITE_HOT_HEAT]

Won't comment much because I despise anything to do with Boston ever since the 09 playoffs.


Love that we ended the Celtics big 3 era. Also helps that Riley and Ainge hate each other. Will probably get banned if I comment in the game threads while the game is going on.

Go HEAT!!!

[iamoti]

I love how some early season wins with us being on a b2b and before the Iggy/Crowder trade makes Celtics fans think they got our number.

How about when you lost to us just a few weeks ago in the bubble?

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[Pumpkin17]

I feel like the Celtics have seen what the Heat can bring to the table already:
-Bam could be a problem but is not as phisically imposing as Embiid
- Heat defense is great but not as much as Toronto. Great hustle and heart is expected but again you cannot say Toronto has not put on a fight.

Probably a combination of these factors can create some trouble but Celtics are fare more battle tested than the Heat at this point. Celtics also have the only superstar even of I love Jimmy. Also, Hayward could be a factor.

Love both teams and would cheer hard for Miami against both LAs, have Celtics in 6.

Bringing Hayward into the mix would not be wise at this juncture.

Celtics have a tougher road this time around. They will be facing multiple shooters and drivers that will be passing into Bam. No more Waiters ball or James Johnson fumbling passes.

Well for sure this Heat team Is Better that the RS ones, I was thinking more about the opponents Celtics have already seen in the PS.
I do agree that this is not going to be easy and of the Heat win I am also sure that I am going to love their effort. As I said, love that team already. Let's hope for a battle

[Heat_team02]

If Robinson (especially), Olynyk & Herro get going offensively this could be a very fun series.

[Elnegron]

Assuming Hayward is of no more help than, say, Iggy:

Celtics in 6, with each team winning at least one blowout. Spoelstra's a very good coach, but he doesn't have the mad-scientist orientation that helped Nurse extend the 2nd-round series.

U lost all credibility. Spo is better than nurse and brad

[FinnTheHuman]

I think this one is gonna be about the Kemba-Dragic matchup. Both should be defending each other poorly so both could have a field day.

[Jugs]

Heat. They execute way better than the celtics

[Ill News]

Like what was said in the ESPN preview I posted, I think this series will come down to whether the Celtics' stellar 3-point defense will be able to stifle the Heat, who relies very much on the three.

That strength of ours could be key to limiting Miami and winning this series, much like how our league-best transition defense took away what Toronto did best and forced them into a half-court team. If we can run Heat shooters off the line often, we have a very good chance to win.

[Fencer reregistered]

Heat in 5 or 6, im really confident we just have a better team. People who feel we dont match up well against the Celtics are judging us pre Crowder and Iggy trade. We have 5 very good defenders to throw at them in Bam Jimmy Iggy Crowder and DJJ. They dont have anything to match up with Bam

Why would Bam do better against the Celtics than he did in the regular season? Is Iggy throwing him a lot of nifty passes? Was he playing hurt in his previous games against the Cs?

I do agree that if the Celtics get whistled for breathing on him, as they did in the most recent game, that could be problematic ...

[Saint Lazarus]

I got heat in 4.

Butler is going to draw 20 fts a game.

Crowder is going to break Hayward’s ankle (again).

Olynyk will dislocate somebody’s shoulder during a rebound.

Bam will average a triple double.

Duncan Robinson will average 5 three pointers a game.

Dragic will unleash the dragon and take Kemba’s lunch.

Tyler Herro with that big dick energy will be splashing 3s in Smart’s grill.

[Elnegron]

Heat in 5 or 6, im really confident we just have a better team. People who feel we dont match up well against the Celtics are judging us pre Crowder and Iggy trade. We have 5 very good defenders to throw at them in Bam Jimmy Iggy Crowder and DJJ. They dont have anything to match up with Bam

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This plus the is picking quick fouls will put boston in bad spot

[iamoti]

Heat in 5 or 6, im really confident we just have a better team. People who feel we dont match up well against the Celtics are judging us pre Crowder and Iggy trade. We have 5 very good defenders to throw at them in Bam Jimmy Iggy Crowder and DJJ. They dont have anything to match up with Bam

Why would Bam do better against the Celtics than he did in the regular season? Is Iggy throwing him a lot of nifty passes? Was he playing hurt in his previous games against the Cs?

I do agree that if the Celtics get whistled for breathing on him, as they did in the most recent game, that could be problematic ...

What are you talking about? He only had one "bad" game against you on a B2B on the road after winning in Toronto again on the road

1st game : 8/7/3 loss on the road b2b
2nd game : 16/10 loss b2b
3rd game : 21/12 win in the bubble without Jimmy