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Celtics vs Heat: A potential Eastern Conference first-round preview

By Alan Nahigian

MIAMI, FLORIDA - JANUARY 24: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics drives to the basket while being defended by Gabe Vincent #2 of the Miami Heat during the second half of the game at Miami-Dade Arena on January 24, 2023 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that,  by downloading and or using this photograph,  User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FLORIDA - JANUARY 24: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics drives to the basket while being defended by Gabe Vincent #2 of the Miami Heat during the second half of the game at Miami-Dade Arena on January 24, 2023 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that,  by downloading and or using this photograph,  User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images) /
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The NBA regular season has finally come to a close and your Boston Celtics finished with a 57-25 record, good for second best in the NBA. Only the Milwaukee Bucks had a higher record at 58-24.

With this record, the Celtics were rewarded with the two seed in the upcoming Eastern Conference playoffs. They will await the winner of the Atlanta Hawks-Miami Heat play-in game.

It is very realistic that the Celtics could face either one of these teams in the first round. But assuming the hometown Heat take care of business, let’s take a look at what a potential Heat-Celtics first round matchup would look like!

Boston Celtics having to deal with Bam Adebayo

One of the biggest problems that the Celtics will have to deal with in a potential Heat series is All-star big man Bam Adebayo.

The two-time All-star has had a tremendous season for a Heat team that was one shot away from a potential Finals appearance a year ago.

The 6-foot-9 Adebayo is averaging 20 points a game this season on 54 percent field goal shooting. He’s also averaging nine rebounds along with a block and a steal every game. Safe to say, the big man is doing it all!

This could cause some matchup headaches for this Boston team. Yes, they have Robert Williams that can deal with Adebayo. But what if Rob gets into foul trouble early? Then who do you go to?

The key thing is to keep Williams healthy and out of foul trouble. He proved last season in the Eastern Conference Finals that he can keep Adebayo minimized.

If the Celtics let up offensive rebounds to Bam, it could be a long series for a C’s team that is trying to get back to the NBA Finals.

Boston Celtics dealing with a different Miami Heat team

There is a world of a difference between the Miami Heat of a season ago and the Miami Heat that the Celtics could be seeing in the playoffs.

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This year’s Miami Heat team struggled on the road mightily. They were 17-24 playing on the road, compared to their 24-17 road record just a year ago.

The Heat also took care of conference play last season with a 35-17 record. This season? 24-28. That’s an 11 game swing in the wrong direction.

With a Joe Mazzulla led offense and top five NBA defensive rating, this Celtics team should not have difficulty with the Heat.

If I’m going to be bluntly honest here, I would rather get the Hawks in the first round than the Heat. But if the Heat end up being the team the Green play, I’m not scared of the matchup.

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This C’s team has shown they can score at will and beat just about any team they play. The Heat should have a very similar outcome.

The Celtics are just the more talented team this year. As long as they play with the right mindset, as Joe Mazzulla likes to reference too often, I’d bet on the Celtics being just fine.

Potential Series prediction: Celtics win in 5.

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