Celtics vs Heat

After losing Game 5 and falling into a 3-2 series deficit in the Eastern Conference semifinals to the Bucks, Celtics coach Ime Udoka made a bold prediction.

It was a rough start for Miami early on, but the Heat found their footing as time went on. Tatum has found Williams with two alley-oops, too. Still a hoax, but we’re definitely going to hear that phrase at least once post-game. The next man up mentality is a stupid misnomer to describe the most basic tenet of organizational function. As you saw on TV, PJ Tucker hobbled to the locker room. Of his nine made field goals, eight came from inside the paint. He can’t get off screens, is forcing tough 3s and also missed a wide-open look. And Jaylen Brown is listed at 6-6, 223 pounds. Seriously, though, how big is Jayson Tatum? He’s listed at 6-8, 210 pounds. Like Jay noted, the other Boston players have been pretty awful on box outs since the start of the Bucks series. Will Boston's defense be stellar again as it was against Milwaukee? Did Miami get too much rest? The Heat prevailed then, beating the Celtics in six games in the NBA bubble near Orlando, Fla.

The second-seeded Celtics have dropped four straight Eastern Conference finals, including three in a four-season stretch from 2017-20. While Miami has ...

"If both teams are really on top of their games, this should be a series where neither team is scoring 130 points. Both teams play hard, but both teams defensively are tops in the league, or one of the best for sure. "He's one of the best in the game right now," Butler said of Tatum. "As much attention as he draws on the offensive end -- and then I think what's really impressive is the way that he's picked up his defensive intensity. The Heat will be without point guard Kyle Lowry (left hamstring) for the seventh time in the past nine games. "He took a pretty bad fall, got bent up," Celtics coach Ime Udoka said. "It's the playoffs, and I feel like the deeper that you go, it's more intense, it's physical," veteran big man Al Horford said on Monday. "Even though the first round was very physical for us, it's not going to be any different. "This is like a throwback series," Spoelstra said. You got to tip your hat to that and respect him. Butler, a six-time All-Star, has topped 30 points five times in 10 starts this postseason. "Our guys love competition and love being challenged," Spoelstra said on Monday. "They love taking on big challenges. "Obviously, I was tired after every game and things like that, but my body has matured since my third season. They do it on both ends."

The Celtics were outscored by 25 points in a nightmare third quarter, and that proved to be the difference in their Game 1 loss to the Heat.

Robert Williams was back in the Celtics' starting lineup for the first time since Game 3 vs. Those are the guys the Celtics need to come through in those situations. Boston was 24-for-32 (75 percent) from the charity stripe in Game 1. Brown was the primary culprit, going 6-for-10 from the line. The Sixth Man of the Year had 18 points, eight rebounds and three assists in 27 minutes off the bench. Especially if Butler is going to be this much of a problem from the free-throw line going forward. He averaged 19.2 points, 6.3 rebounds and 4.8 assists against the Celtics in the 2020 playoffs. That's the most points the Celtics have given up in a quarter this postseason and the fewest they've scored. The Celtics were 0-for-7 to begin the third quarter and didn't make a shot until seven minutes into the frame. Of his 41 points, 27 came in the second half. He was 12-for-19 from the floor and was a force on the defensive end with four steals and three blocks. The Celtics got off to a hot start and took an eight-point lead into the half.

In anticipation of the Eastern Conference Finals, members of our NBA staff identify one matchup to watch and make their picks for the series and the ...

I believe there is a layer of revenge to this series after Boston fell to Miami in six games in the Eastern Conference Finals in 2020. The officials will probably play a part in this matchup as well, but it's the Conference Finals and I expect them to let the players play a bit. The Celtics also have enough X-Factors that I trust to step up in big moments if Tatum or Brown are having an off-night. Defensively, the Celtics have made life difficult for Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jrue Holiday this postseason. It hasn't been Brown's best showing on the defensive end so far these playoffs. He's been a menace this postseason, averaging 28.7 points per game on 52.5 percent shooting from the field. It's only right for the Celtics to earn the first Bob Cousy Eastern Conference Finals trophy, and it will be Jayson Tatum who takes home the first Larry Bird Eastern Conference Finals MVP. It's kind of fitting that the first Larry Bird MVP goes to a Celtic. I think it ends up being Jayson Tatum. For the Celtics to get to where I expect them to go, Tatum will have to be the man. This will be Brown's fourth Conference Finals and Tatum's third Conference Finals. To me, it feels like this duo, with this supporting cast around them, is ready to get over the hump and get to the NBA Finals. I expect that Spo will sick Tucker on Tatum and I wonder if over the course of this seven-game series if Tucker's physicality will wear on Tatum. Tucker isn't going to be able to stay in front of Tatum consistently if he's not able to bump him a little. "Playoff Jimmy" is no joke. The No. 1 seed Heat got here with series wins over the Hawks and 76ers while the No. 2 seed Celtics made their way to the East Finals with a sweep of the Nets and a ripping seven-game series win over the defending-champion Bucks.

We go over some of the best betting options for Tuesday's Game 1 matchup between the Boston Celtics and Miami Heat.

The score totals for the three games these teams played this season have been 173, 214 and 204. The Heat haven’t lost at home this postseason, though, and they likely won’t start today. At DraftKings Sportsbook, the Heat are 2-point favorites, and the point total is set at 204. Update — Marcus Smart (foot) and Al Horford (protocols) have been ruled out for the Celtics for Game 1. The way both have looked in the postseason, this should be an exciting, high-scoring affair. The Heat went 53-29 and are coming off series wins against the Atlanta Hawks and Philadelphia 76ers.

In anticipation of the Eastern Conference Finals, members of our NBA staff identify one matchup to watch and make their picks for the series and the ...

I believe there is a layer of revenge to this series after Boston fell to Miami in six games in the Eastern Conference Finals in 2020. The officials will probably play a part in this matchup as well, but it's the Conference Finals and I expect them to let the players play a bit. The Celtics also have enough X-Factors that I trust to step up in big moments if Tatum or Brown are having an off-night. Defensively, the Celtics have made life difficult for Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jrue Holiday this postseason. It hasn't been Brown's best showing on the defensive end so far these playoffs. He's been a menace this postseason, averaging 28.7 points per game on 52.5 percent shooting from the field. It's only right for the Celtics to earn the first Bob Cousy Eastern Conference Finals trophy, and it will be Jayson Tatum who takes home the first Larry Bird Eastern Conference Finals MVP. It's kind of fitting that the first Larry Bird MVP goes to a Celtic. I think it ends up being Jayson Tatum. For the Celtics to get to where I expect them to go, Tatum will have to be the man. This will be Brown's fourth Conference Finals and Tatum's third Conference Finals. To me, it feels like this duo, with this supporting cast around them, is ready to get over the hump and get to the NBA Finals. I expect that Spo will sick Tucker on Tatum and I wonder if over the course of this seven-game series if Tucker's physicality will wear on Tatum. Tucker isn't going to be able to stay in front of Tatum consistently if he's not able to bump him a little. "Playoff Jimmy" is no joke. The No. 1 seed Heat got here with series wins over the Hawks and 76ers while the No. 2 seed Celtics made their way to the East Finals with a sweep of the Nets and a ripping seven-game series win over the defending-champion Bucks.

SportsLine's Mike Barner has revealed his 2022 NBA playoff picks for Game 1 of Celtics vs. Heat in the Eastern Conference finals.

- Celtics vs. So who wins Celtics vs. He's only sharing what it is, and which side of the Celtics vs. The Heat got past the Celtics in the 2020 Eastern Conference finals, marking Boston's fourth consecutive loss in the conference finals. For Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals, Barner is leaning under on the point total, but he also says a critical X-factor makes one side a must-back. Boston needed seven games to get past Milwaukee, so it only had one day to prepare for Game 1 of this series. The Celtics are assisting on more than 65 percent of field goals in the playoffs, and Boston is led by a dynamic creator in Jayson Tatum, who is averaging 28.3 points per game in the postseason. Now, Barner has set his sights on Celtics vs. In the postseason, that dominance has continued, with opponents scoring only 105.2 points per 100 possessions against Boston. The Celtics are limiting the opposition to 44.3 percent shooting overall and 32.9 percent from 3-point range. The Celtics lead the NBA in defensive rating this season, allowing only 106.2 points per 100 possessions. The Boston Celtics knocked off defending champion Milwaukee in seven games in the Eastern Conference semifinals. Heat odds from Caesars Sportsbook, with the over-under set at 204.

BOTTOM LINE: The Miami Heat host the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference finals with a 1-0 lead in the series. The Heat won the last matchup 118-107 on May ...

The Heat have gone 35-17 against Eastern Conference teams. The Heat won the last matchup 118-107 on May 18 led by 41 points from Jimmy Butler, while Jayson Tatum scored 29 points for the Celtics. Miami is eighth in the Eastern Conference scoring 110.0 points while shooting 46.7% from the field. BOTTOM LINE: The Miami Heat host the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference finals with a 1-0 lead in the series. Miami Heat (53-29, first in the Eastern Conference) Boston Celtics (51-31, second in the Eastern Conference) vs.