The Miami Heat easily defeated the New York Knicks previous week and were awaiting the outcome of the Boston Celtics vs. Philadelphia 76ers game.
That game took place on Sunday night, when the Boston Celtics crushed the 76ers to advance to face the Heat.
These two clubs have been the best in the Eastern Conference both during LeBron’s tenure and since he moved for the West.
Since 2010, one or both of these clubs has appeared in the Eastern Conference finals virtually every year.
The Celtics rode a hot Jayson Tatum for the final five quarters of their series against the 76ers. He was dreadful to begin Game 6 in Philadelphia, but he awoke and sent them packing.
Despite a 3-2 lead and a home game ahead, Joel Embiid and James Harden found a way to prolong their underwhelming postseason careers. Tatum scored 51 points in a 30-point game late in the fourth quarter in game 7.
In round two, the Miami Heat defeated the New York Knicks in six games.
Jimmy Butler and his gang of unknown role players, including Bam Adebayo, stunned the #1 seeded Milwaukee Bucks and Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Betting Consensus |
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New York Knicks vs Miami Heat total o208 -110 being hammered by 84.6% of the betting public |
Jimmy Butler has put another masterpiece out there for us to behold. He has been the best player on the floor every time he has stepped on it this postseason. This series is going to be their toughest test with the wing defenders that the Celtics can throw at him.
The Battle between these two is a rematch of last year’s Eastern Conference Finals as well. The Celtics won last year in the final seconds as Jimmy Butler missed a 3 that would have given the Heat the lead as time was expiring in game 7.
The Heat was not a good offensive team this season, but Jimmy Butler has taken it to another level and the shooters around him have stepped up in the playoffs.
For the heat to have a chance, Jimmy is going to have to be Jimmy and threes are going to have to fall. The Celtics may have too much firepower, but never count out Jimmy and Heat Culture.
The Eastern Conference Finals tip off tonight on TNT 🏀🔥 pic.twitter.com/NVKdgn9Vx4
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) May 17, 2023
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| Title: Eastern Conference Finals
| Author: Matt Catton
| Date: May 12, 2023