The Eastern Conference Finals will feature a matchup between the Boston Celtics and the Miami Heat. The postseason has been thrilling because no club is secure and no significant team is guaranteed to win. That type of circumstance has occurred in rounds 1 and 2 for both the Celtics and the Heat. However, after their last encounter in the ECF last season, fans will get to watch the two sides square off one more in 2023.
Both sides needed to put up strong performances to secure their places in the ECF this season. The Celtics had to play the Philadelphia 76ers till the very end, so neither team had it easy. The Milwaukee Bucks, who led the Easter Conference and were the favorites to win the championship, were the opponents for the Miami Heat. But despite all the odds, both sides have demonstrated tenacity and perseverance to secure an ECF position.
Jayson Tatum is fit to lead the line for the Boston Celtics against the Miami Heat
Jason Tatum‘s excellent playoff efforts have benefited the Celtics. He has started every game for the Celtics and is averaging 28.2 points per contest. The Celtics, who did not suffer any serious injuries prior to the postseason, will benefit greatly from it.Tatum will start for the Celtics once more because his name is not on the team’s injury list.
With one team looking almost healthy, the same cannot be said for the Miami Heat. It has been an injury ladden season for the Heat. Even at the start of the postseason, the Heat lost both Tyler Herro and Victor Oladipo through injuries. Nevertheless, Butler has been critical in ensuring that the Heat moves past the 1st and 2nd rounds. Let s take a look at the complete injury report and expected roster of both teams.
Boston Celtics injury report
- Danilo Gallinari (Out)
Boston Celtics expected roster
- Jaylen Brown
- Jayson Tatum
- Al Horford
- Marcus Smart
- Derrick White
Miami Heat injury report
- Cody Zeller (Questionable)
- Victor Oladipo (Out)
- Tyler Herro (Out)
Miami Heat expected roster
- Kevin Love
- Jimmy Butler
- Bam Adebayo
- Max Strus
- Gabe Vincent
The Boston Celtics are favored to start the series with a win over the Miami Heat
Either of the teams put on a fantastic showing.Their respective talismans will be Jimmy Butler and Jayson Tatum. But the Celtics will be favored to win Game 1 since they are far better than the Heat. A further advantage the Celtics have over the Heat is that they will be playing at home. The Heat defeated the Celtics 98-95 in their previous regular-season meeting.
Although the Celtics will be heavily favored against the Heat, Butler s recent performances pose a huge threat. Butler has been electric in the playoffs. Many wrote off the Heat against the Bucks, however, they knocked one of the best teams in the league. Hence, it is going to be a complicated affair between the two teams. However, we will be favoring the Celtics to start the series in a winning fashion.
