Comparing the Miami Heat to the 10 other teams playing on Christmas Day
Boston Celtics
Overall Record: 20-7
Head to Head Matchups: 1 (Celtics W 112-93)
Eye Test: The Miami Heat looked tired when they played the Boston Celtics, if we’re being honest, with that being the night after beating the Toronto Raptors in an overtime showdown in Toronto. Fatigue is no excuse though, as a loss is a loss.
The Miami Heat will face the Boston Celtics at the end of January and they will surely look to repay them for the first matchup. Perhaps the Miami Heat might even be whole then, while they are a pretty even team as currently deployed.
Toronto Raptors
Overall Record: 21-9
Head to Head Matchups: 1 (Miami 121-110)
Eye Test: The Miami Heat dispensed of the Toronto Raptors and their spotless home record in their one and only matchup this season. That was the return game of Kyle Lowry, but some will point to that as being a key factor in them losing that game.
The Miami Heat seem to be the more complete team between the two, with the competition between their feature guys being won by the Heat. Bam Adebayo proved that in the first matchup, somewhat neutralizing Pascal Siakam, leading him to have one of his worst performances of the year.
Milwaukee Bucks
Overall Record: 27-4
Head to Head Matchups: 1 (Miami 131-126)
Eye Test: The Miami Heat beat the Milwaukee Bucks in their first matchup this season. Nevermind the fact that it was in the second game of the season for the Miami Heat and way back on October 26th, but this game was something for the Miami Heat to build on. They know that Milwaukee can be beaten and they know that they can do it as well.
The Milwaukee Bucks would still be the favorite going into any one game or series, based on the fact that they have the best player in the series with the Greek Freak, but arguably the next three best players are on the Miami Heat. This will be an interesting watch all year long as the Miami Heat seem to have a nice mix of guys that can bother Giannis Antetokounmpo just enough.