Poll: Heat vs. Celtics Series Predictions

[SparzWizard]

I think as usual the only way Miami wins this series is if Boston helps them.

I am concerned about game 1 because Boston is not a good team at home in the first game they play there. Lost to the Bucks, Heat, Sixers recently playoffs in their first game at home of the series.

Really worried about them being hung over after that Sixers game 7 and the Heat steal game 1

I see a split coming in Boston and might be in Game 1. C's are better on the road. Just no more being down 3-2 to come back and win in dramatic fashion lol

[liam]

I kinda hate to agree with Mannix but I do:


https://twitter.com/NBCSCeltics/status/1658204862306197504?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1658204862306197504%7Ctwgr%5E008ef2b31797f29e02415b31552db08927e7618d%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nbcsports.com%2Fboston%2Fceltics%2Fchris-mannix-shares-bold-prediction-celtics-heat-playoff-rematch

[celticinorlando]

I think as usual the only way Miami wins this series is if Boston helps them.

I am concerned about game 1 because Boston is not a good team at home in the first game they play there. Lost to the Bucks, Heat, Sixers recently playoffs in their first game at home of the series.

Really worried about them being hung over after that Sixers game 7 and the Heat steal game 1

I see a split coming in Boston and might be in Game 1. C's are better on the road. Just no more being down 3-2 to come back and win in dramatic fashion lol

If Boston can get game one I think they leave for Miami up 2-0

But I am super concerned about game one.

[Roy H.]

I think as usual the only way Miami wins this series is if Boston helps them.

I am concerned about game 1 because Boston is not a good team at home in the first game they play there. Lost to the Bucks, Heat, Sixers recently playoffs in their first game at home of the series.

Really worried about them being hung over after that Sixers game 7 and the Heat steal game 1

I see a split coming in Boston and might be in Game 1. C's are better on the road. Just no more being down 3-2 to come back and win in dramatic fashion lol

If Boston can get game one I think they leave for Miami up 2-0

But I am super concerned about game one.

Yeah.  I mean, if we can lose against Philly without Embiid, we can certainly lose to Miami.  Our players will see that #8 seed and will take them lightly.

[liam]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LelYnPdur60&t=35s

[President Red]

ESPN has its usual "expert" predictions, but perhaps the experts should have double-checked this information (emphasis added):


"The No. 7 seed Los Angeles Lakers, who advanced through the play-in tourney, will face the Denver Nuggets --the No. 1 seed with the league's best record -- in the West. Meanwhile, the Miami Heat, who are the No. 8 seed via the play-in, take on the second-seeded Boston Celtics for a spot in the NBA Finals."

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/37656388/nba-playoffs-2023-our-insiders-dissect-eastern-western-conference-finals

[Celtic_Pride777]

I forgot Oladipo was out, but that's kind of big too. I remember in some of the ECF games last year, Oladipo was giving our guys trouble defensively and at times was forcing turnovers even from the Jays. No Herro. No Oladipo.

Co-sign. The loss of Herro and Olapido is HUGE.

[Celtic_Pride777]

I think as usual the only way Miami wins this series is if Boston helps them.

I am concerned about game 1 because Boston is not a good team at home in the first game they play there. Lost to the Bucks, Heat, Sixers recently playoffs in their first game at home of the series.

Really worried about them being hung over after that Sixers game 7 and the Heat steal game 1

For so much talking about how the Garden fans brought so much energy on Sunday that helped the players, the Celtics have been playing poorly at home. For some strange reason, this team doesn't really play well at home in the playoffs. I don't understand why. It drives me crazy how inconsistent they are at home.

[Who]

I forgot Oladipo was out, but that's kind of big too. I remember in some of the ECF games last year, Oladipo was giving our guys trouble defensively and at times was forcing turnovers even from the Jays. No Herro. No Oladipo.

Co-sign. The loss of Herro and Olapido is HUGE.

I kinda liked the loss of Oladipo for Miami. It forced Spoelstra to play D Robinson instead. I felt they needed his shooting to replace the loss of Herro.

Oladipo is a great hustle guy but his offense isn't there anymore. Playing him big minutes alongside G Vincent was a big ask. I believe Miami and Spoelstra without that temptation because it was their 1st choice.

Edit: Not that I liked Oladipo getting injured just that D-Robinson plays instead. Sucks that Oladipo got hurt. He is a good guy who has had terrible luck with injuries.

[liam]

I forgot Oladipo was out, but that's kind of big too. I remember in some of the ECF games last year, Oladipo was giving our guys trouble defensively and at times was forcing turnovers even from the Jays. No Herro. No Oladipo.

Co-sign. The loss of Herro and Olapido is HUGE.

I kinda liked the loss of Oladipo for Miami. It forced Spoelstra to play D Robinson instead. I felt they needed his shooting to replace the loss of Herro.

Oladipo is a great hustle guy but his offense isn't there anymore. Playing him big minutes alongside G Vincent was a big ask. I believe Miami and Spoelstra without that temptation because it was their 1st choice.

Edit: Not that I liked Oladipo getting injured just that D-Robinson plays instead. Sucks that Oladipo got hurt. He is a good guy who has had terrible luck with injuries.

I'm not sur you can even play D Robinson in this series. Who is he going to guard?

[LilRip]

The Heat aren’t out of it because Butler and Spo are there but I don’t see how they can win this series barring anything catastrophic like an injury. The C’s will have to lose this series with an unfocused effort, which wouldn’t surprise many of us here. That said, I hope the C’s take to heart what’s written on their shirts. Unfinished business.

They need to take care of this series quickly (and they have the talent to) to get some rest and also prep for the Nuggets and the real MVP, Jokic

[BitterJim]

I've underestimated how long it would take us to win each of the last 2 series, (I said 5 for the Hawks and 6 for Philly), so I'll play it safe and go with C's in 7 this time.

If it turns out that the Celtics are just cursed to take one more game than I guessed, though... then I'm sorry, everyone. My bad!

[Celtics2021]

I've underestimated how long it would take us to win each of the last 2 series, (I said 5 for the Hawks and 6 for Philly), so I'll play it safe and go with C's in 7 this time.

If it turns out that the Celtics are just cursed to take one more game than I guessed, though... then I'm sorry, everyone. My bad!

In case that curse is true, can you modify your prediction to Celtics in 4?

[celticinorlando]

Since the sprained ankle vs the Knicks, Butler has come back to earth. He wasn't nearly as Jimmy.

Miami is going to slow things down and try to muck up the game with junk defense (zones) to frustrate Boston. Miami needs Boston's help to win.

I just do not see who scores for the Heat. Assuming Butler is at 25 ppg and Bam is around there, who is left? This Heat roster, while being plucky, is not very talented.

I do not see how the Heat defend Boston if the Cs figure out the zones. Robinson, Struss, Vincent, Lowry, Love, Zeller...those dudes cannot defend man up. Tucker and Olidepo were really good defensively last year in this series.

Key for Miami is Bam. If Bam has a good series, this will be a long one.

IF Boston can get game 1 at home and start this series off strong, it is going to be a major positive. I do not think the Heat team is as good as Atlanta when it comes to offense. It is all about Boston not stepping all over themselves.

[SparzWizard]

I think as usual the only way Miami wins this series is if Boston helps them.

I am concerned about game 1 because Boston is not a good team at home in the first game they play there. Lost to the Bucks, Heat, Sixers recently playoffs in their first game at home of the series.

Really worried about them being hung over after that Sixers game 7 and the Heat steal game 1

For so much talking about how the Garden fans brought so much energy on Sunday that helped the players, the Celtics have been playing poorly at home. For some strange reason, this team doesn't really play well at home in the playoffs. I don't understand why. It drives me crazy how inconsistent they are at home.

They prefer to split the home games and start winning like crazy on the road. If we're in the finals, I hope the C's close it out at home so we can watch them celebrate in front of the crowd. Lately a lot of championships have been won in the road and it takes the fun out of it 😂