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Boston Celtics: Get to Know the Celtics’ Potential Playoff Matchups

By James Carson

Apr 6, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas (4) celebrates a play with forward Jaylen Brown (7) in the third quarter of their game against the Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena. The Hawks won 123-116. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 6, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas (4) celebrates a play with forward Jaylen Brown (7) in the third quarter of their game against the Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena. The Hawks won 123-116. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 31, 2017; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside (21) blocks a shot by New York Knicks guard Courtney Lee (5) during the second half at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 31, 2017; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside (21) blocks a shot by New York Knicks guard Courtney Lee (5) during the second half at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

Miami Heat

The Miami Heat are currently on the outside looking in. At 40-41, the Heat are currently tied with the Bulls for the eighth seed, though Chicago holds the tiebreaker. After an 11-30 start, even coming this close is an impressive feat for Erik Spoelstra’s club.

The turnaround has even brought Spoelstra’s name into the Coach of the Year conversation, especially considering what he had to work with. Dion Waiters has been born again as a sharpshooter, though he has been out since March 17th with a sprained ankle. Waiters is averaging 15.8 points in 46 games while shooting 39.4% from three. As usual, Hassan Whiteside has dominated on the glass and defensively for the Heat. Whiteside is averaging 14.1 rebounds per game (including 3.8 offensive boards), to go along with 16.9 points and 2.1 blocks per game.

The Celtics have handled Miami this season, winning all four games in the season series and averaging 111.5 points per game. Isaiah Thomas, as expected, leads the Celtics against the Heat with 32.5 points per game, though that is inflated by Thomas’ 52 point performance on December 30th.

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Keeping Whiteside in check has been difficult for the Celtics, as he has averaged 19.5 points and 14.3 rebounds in the four matchups. Dealing with his height and length would be tough, but Boston has shown the ability to limit his impact on the rest of his team’s performance so far.

The Heat actually match up decently against the Celtics, showing a clear advantage on the boards and with blocking shots. Just like Indiana and Chicago, though, the Heat have a harder time making threes than the Celtics do. They shoot less than one percent better than Boston (36.6% for Miami, to be exact), but the Celtics make three more three pointers on average.

The Heat also struggle at the free throw line where they shoot only 70.5% as a team. As long as the Boston Celtics make their free throws and limit Whiteside’s ability to dominate a game, they should have little trouble with the Heat.

Miami is in the worst position of all three teams going into their final game. Simply put, if they lost they are out. They are in a must-win scenario and would need one of Indiana or Chicago to win while the other loses in order to get in.

Next: Boston Bruins Will Handle the Ottawa Senators With Ease in Round One

The only way they can get the seventh seed is if they win and the other two teams lose. It will be a difficult task to sneak in.

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