There will be a new NBA champion after the Boston Celtics knocked off Toronto in an exciting seven-game series, advancing to the Eastern Conference Final for the third time in four seasons. Led by a diverse scoring unit that includes superstar Jayson Tatum, the Celtics are a favorite to return the NBA Finals for the first time in a decade and the 22nd time overall. They will have to get by a scrappy Miami Heat club that knocked off No. 1 seed Milwaukee in the conference semifinals in the most impressive series by a playoff underdog in recent years. The Heat dominated the Indiana Pacers in the first round and are 8-1 SU and ATS so far in the 2020 playoffs.
NBA Series Prices
Miami Heat +122
Boston Celtics -138
Miami Heat vs. Boston Celtics Series Schedule
Game 1: Heat vs. Celtics, Tuesday, September 15, 2020 (ESPN)
Game 2: Heat vs. Celtics, Thursday, September 17, 2020 (ESPN)
Game 3: Celtics vs. Heat, Saturday, September 19, 2020 (ESPN)
Game 4: Celtics vs. Heat, Monday, September 21, 2020 (ESPN)
Game 5: Heat vs. Celtics, Wednesday, September 23, 2020 (If Necessary)
Game 6: Celtics vs. Heat, Friday, September 25, 2020 (If Necessary)
Game 7: Heat vs. Celtics, Sunday, September 27, 2020 (If Necessary)
Head to Head
Boston got the better of the regular season series winning two of three games. Jaylen Brown had 31 points and Kemba Walker 28 in a 112-93 victory in December. The Celtics extended their overall winning streak over the Heat to five with a 109-101 decision in Miami on Jan. 28. That was a significant outcome for the Celtics delivering Miami its first home loss to an Eastern Conference team. The Heat were 13-0 going into that game against the East. Boston’s balanced attack led the charge in that one with Gordon Hayward leading all five starters in double figures with 29 points. The Cs posted the victory without the services of Tatum, who missed the contest with a groin injury. Miami finally broke through beating Boston 112-106 inside the bubble with their own display of balance. Bam Adebayo and Duncan Robinson each had 21 points and Goran Dragic dropped 20. Miami’s Jimmy Butler sat out that game.
Miami Heat
The teams are similar in roster use getting contributions up and down the lineup. Miami has a good mix of veterans and youth all coming together at the most opportune time. All five starters and top reserve Tyler Herro are averaging more than 10 points per game during the playoffs. Butler is the experienced veteran the club is leaning on to deliver in this series. Jimmy Buckets has a team-best 21.8 scoring average followed closely by Dragic at 21.1.
A key for Miami will be their effectiveness from beyond the arc. The Heat were the second-most accurate team from three-point range during the regular season at 37.9 percent and they’re hitting at 38 percent in the playoffs. Robinson hit nearly 46 percent of his 606 three attempts during the regular season and will launch from anywhere. Defense has been a thing of beauty for the Heat this postseason holding the high-scoring Bucks to an average of 106 points while flustering Giannis Antetokounmpo. Miami allowed an average of just over 103 points over the first two playoff rounds.
Boston Celtics
While not many believed Miami would be playing in the conference final it was a different story for the Celtics. They came to Florida with high expectations and so far the results have been good. But there is more to be done. They scrapped through a seven-game set with Toronto, though they outplayed the Raptors for most of it. Boston lost a pair of heartbreakers in Games 3 and 6. Boston was the only team to have three players average more than 20 points during the regular season, and they have Walker back at full strength after he dealt with injuries before the shutdown.
Tatum has been a stud in the playoffs averaging 25.3 points and 10.1 rebounds. Jaylen Brown is scoring more during the postseason than he did during the regular campaign. Under Brad Stevens the Celtics have been one of the better defensive clubs, placing among the top six in opponent three-point percentage. They held Philadelphia and Toronto to a combined 29.2 percent from deep during the first two rounds. They’ll have to slow Robinson and the rest of Miami’s three-point shooters to have a chance.
Heat vs. Celtics Free Picks
If anything this will be an interesting series. Miami is a confident group after sweeping Indiana and dispatching the top-seed Bucks in five games. The extra time off could play a role early in the series, allowing Boston to jump out to a lead. If that is the case we’ll see how Miami reacts. The Celtics are favored and have the edge in the season series. They won’t take the Heat lightly, either. The series will be tight with defense a key for both clubs. However, in the end I like Boston’s talent level and determination to reach the Finals after several near misses.
Heat vs. Celtics Series Pick: Celtics in 6 Games
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