Records
Boston Celtics (51-31, 23-18 Away)
Miami Heat (53-29, 29-12 Home)
No one saw this coming, well Celtics and Heat fans did. Let’s be honest with each other and share our original picks to play in the Eastern Conference Finals. I picked the Brooklyn Nets and Milwaukee Bucks to be here. Those are the teams I picked and wanted to see Kevin Durant and Giannis Anteotokounmpo go at it to establish who’s the dominant forward in the NBA. This series will be just as exciting as that. Miami’s shooting guard Jimmy Butler will square off against Boston’s rising star, Jason Tatum. In this article, I’m breaking down the first three games of the series, my x-factor for each game and the score. Believe it or not, but I am 24 – 9 since the playoffs started this year and I on an 8-game picking streak!
5/17 – 7:30 p.m. – Game 1 – Boston Celtics vs Miami Heat – TV: ESPN
Heat guard Jimmy Butler is the x-factor for this game. In the last series versus Philadelphia, he torched the 76ers; averaging 30 points per contest. Tyler Hero chipped in 21 points per contest while Bam Adebayo lead the team in rebounds. Boston will have their hands full in Game 1 if Jayson Tatum and Marcus Smart get into foul trouble early. I’m taking Miami in Game 1. Final Score: Celtics 101 – Heat 120
5/19 – 7:30 p.m. – Game 2 – Boston Celtics vs Miami Heat 5/19 – TV: ESPN
Boston will need to make some much needed changes for Game 2. Game 1 will show the determination of Boston’s Head Coach Udoka. Remember he spent seven years on the bench with Spurs head coach Greg Popovich both as a player and a coach. The x-factor for the Celtics will be Jaylen Brown. He has to have a good game. ESPN has the Celtics with a 36.8% chance of winning. So I’m taking Miami for this one as well. Final Score: Celtics 84 – Heat 101
5/21 – 7:30 p.m. – Game 3 – Miami Heat vs Boston Celtics – TV: ABC
Boston is favored to win Game 3 at home. Boston will need to dig deep on their bench and allow guys that have been sitting to get some playing time. Back up center Daniel Theis needs more playing time. He can stretch the floor with his outside shooting and plays solid on the defensive end. I’m taking Boston at home by 10 because of Theis being on the floor. Final Score: Heat 91 – Celtics 101
