Miami Heat vs Boston Celtics

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Superstar Jimmy Butler of the Heat was sidelined for Friday's elimination game against the Bulls after he sprained his right MCL during the team's play-in game against the 76ers on Wednesday. Miami won 112-91 to earn the No. 8 seed.

The six-time All-Star's injury is anticipated to keep him out of action for four weeks, which will hurt the Heat's prospects of making a long postseason run.

Vegas, on the other side, anticipates Boston making a lengthy playoff run.

Forward Jaylen Brown possesses the offensive repertoire to erupt on any given evening. Brown excels when penetrating towards the basket but exhibits inconsistency in his shooting from the perimeter. Throughout the 2023-24 season, the three-time All-Star maintained averages of 23 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per contest. In the inaugural game of Boston's recent triumph, Brown contributed 17 points, secured eight rebounds, and dished out three assists.

Center Kristaps Porzingis furnishes the Celtics with an elite-level marksman who can also excel in the low post. Porzingis showcases a swift release, utilizing his lengthy arms to disrupt opponents defensively within the paint. Over the regular season, he boasted averages of 20.1 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks per game. In the showdown against the Heat last Sunday, Porzingis notched 18 points, grabbed four rebounds, swatted two shots, and drained four three-pointers.

Center Bam Adebayo emerges as a significant dual-threat presence on both ends of the court. Adebayo's athleticism enables him to effectively guard multiple positions while showcasing an impressive scoring ability on offense. Leading the team in rebounds with an average of 10.4 per game, the Kentucky product also contributed 19.3 points per contest this season. Despite Miami's defeat in Game 1, Adebayo managed to accumulate a team-best 24 points, six rebounds, and three assists.

Guard Tyler Herro stands out as Miami's premier scoring talent. With a polished jump shot allowing him to excel from long range and an ability to drive to the basket, Herro also demonstrates adeptness in facilitating for his teammates. Across 42 regular season matchups, the 24-year-old registered averages of 20.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game. In the encounter against the Raptors on April 14, he amassed 17 points, secured six rebounds, and distributed eight assists.

The Celtics found themselves trailing 3-0 against the (once again) eighth-seeded Heat in the 2023 Eastern Conference finals. Despite facing potential humiliation, they rallied to force a Game 7, only to see their hopes of making history dashed by Jayson Tatum's injured ankle. This scenario epitomized a recurring theme for Boston's recent contenders: digging themselves into a hole and then struggling to escape it.

Recognizing the need for change, Celtics executive Brad Stevens orchestrated significant moves. He traded Marcus Smart — the heart and soul of the team at that time — for Kristaps Porziņģis, a former All-Star center, and brought in Jrue Holiday, a two-time All-Star guard, to fill Smart's role. This reshuffle allowed Tatum and Jaylen Brown to step into leadership roles within a finely crafted rotation. The result was a formidable lineup with Tatum, Brown, Porziņģis, Holiday, and Derrick White forming a starting unit renowned for its balance, outclassing opponents by 11 points per 100 possessions. Meanwhile, the seasoned veteran Al Horford found himself relegated to the bench, where the likes of Payton Pritchard and Sam Hauser bolstered the team's depth, creating a formidable roster eight players deep.