The Celtics were informed on Friday about their upcoming rematch with the Heat in this year’s Eastern Conference finals, a matchup that Jaylen Brown had a feeling about long before it was official. Boston and Miami have faced off in three of the last four conference finals, with the Celtics winning in 2022 and the Heat in 2020 and 2023. Last year, the Heat took down the Celtics in a seven-game series.
This Sunday, the Celtics will host the Heat in Game 1 of their first-round series at TD Garden. Brown expressed his anticipation for the matchup, stating that he had a sense it would be Miami weeks ago. He noted the challenge ahead, acknowledging Miami’s tough, well-coached, and physical style of play, which he believes will make for an exciting series.
Kristaps Porzingis is gearing up for his first experience of the playoff rivalry between the Celtics and Heat. While Boston dominated the regular-season series with a 3-0 sweep, Porzingis emphasizes that the Heat’s style of play demands respect and caution.
“We should anticipate them being extremely aggressive,” Porzingis noted. “They’ll be very hands-on, trying to disrupt the game with small, tactical moves to gain advantages. We need to be prepared for that. It’s going to be a battle.”
Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla lauded the Heat for their physicality, adaptability, and strategic defensive variations. Mazzulla sees this series as a test of the Celtics’ ability to win through various means and their resilience.
“Both teams are willing to do whatever it takes to win each game,” Mazzulla explained. “Substitution patterns may vary, but ultimately, what matters most are the margins. That’s more critical than any tactical adjustment. Physicality and toughness are key, and we must be ready to prevail in those aspects.”
The Heat will be missing forward Jimmy Butler, sidelined due to an MCL injury, at least for Game 1 and possibly for several weeks.
Butler was a significant contributor during last year’s conference finals, averaging 24.7 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 6.1 assists. His impactful performance, including a 35-point, nine-rebound effort in the series-clinching victory at TD Garden, will be missed.
Regarding Butler’s absence, Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla acknowledged the shift in Miami’s playing style, leaning more towards shooting. However, he noted that teams adapt when key players are sidelined, maintaining their fundamental approach.
As the Heat navigated through the Play-In Tournament, the Celtics had a week to prepare, benefiting from their top regular-season record in the NBA. Mazzulla emphasized leaving past results behind, focusing on the present mindset of starting fresh with a 0-0 record and concentrating on detailed preparation and execution for the upcoming series.
Porzingis mentioned that he appreciated the downtime between practices, highlighting a week where they could disconnect and even attend a Red Sox game together as a team. This break allowed them to recharge physically and mentally before focusing on their upcoming opponent and continuing to work on team improvement.
Brown expressed his anticipation for facing the Heat with a fresh perspective, emphasizing the importance of living in the moment and learning from past experiences without letting them affect the present. He emphasized the dynamic nature of teams and players, focusing on taking each day as it comes.The Celtics are prepared for their playoff game with the Heat.
