The Boston Celtics and the Miami Heat will face off against each other in the Eastern Conference Finals. It has been an exciting postseason, as none of the teams are safe, or any big team guaranteed a win. Both the Celtics and the Heat have been through that sort of situation in rounds 1 and 2. However, as fans, we get to watch the two teams battle it out once again in 2023 after they last met in the ECF last season.
Big performances were required from both teams to book their spots in the ECF this season. Neither team had it easy, as the Celtics had to go the distance with the Philadelphia 76ers. As for the Heat, they had to play the Easter Conference leader the Milwaukee Bucks, who were favored to win the title. However, against all odds, both teams have shown grit and determination to earn an ECF spot.
Jayson Tatum is fit to lead the line for the Boston Celtics against the Miami Heat
The Celtics have benefitted from Jason Tatum‘s impressive performances in the Playoffs. He is averaging 28.2 points per game and has started all the games for the Celtics. It is a huge boost for the Celtics who entered the postseason without any significant injuries. Tatum will once again start for the Celtics as he has not been listed in the Celtics’ injury list.
With one team looking almost healthy, the same cannot be said for the Miami Heat. It has been an injury ladden season for the Heat. Even at the start of the postseason, the Heat lost both Tyler Herro and Victor Oladipo through injuries. Nevertheless, Butler has been critical in ensuring that the Heat moves past the 1st and 2nd rounds. Let’s take a look at the complete injury report and expected roster of both teams.
Boston Celtics injury report
- Danilo Gallinari (Out)
Boston Celtics expected roster
- Jaylen Brown
- Jayson Tatum
- Al Horford
- Marcus Smart
- Derrick White
Miami Heat injury report
- Cody Zeller (Questionable)
- Victor Oladipo (Out)
- Tyler Herro (Out)
Miami Heat expected roster
- Kevin Love
- Jimmy Butler
- Bam Adebayo
- Max Strus
- Gabe Vincent
The Boston Celtics are favored to start the series with a win over the Miami Heat
It has been a terrific performance from either of the teams. Jimmy Butler and Jayson Tatum will be their team’s respective talismans. However, with the Celtics possessing much more quality than the Heat, they will be favored to win Game 1. In addition to that, the Celtics will be playing at home, which gives them an advantage over the Heat. The last time the two teams met in the regular season, the Heat trumped the Celtics 98-95.
Although the Celtics will be heavily favored against the Heat, Butler’s recent performances pose a huge threat. Butler has been electric in the playoffs. Many wrote off the Heat against the Bucks, however, they knocked one of the best teams in the league. Hence, it is going to be a complicated affair between the two teams. However, we will be favoring the Celtics to start the series in a winning fashion.
