Miami Heat Roundtable: Predicting ECF Results, Games Played, And MVP

Miami Heat: Predicting ECF Results, Games Played, And MVP – Isiah’s Take

It’s still somewhat unbelievable that we will not bear witness to a potential Trilogy between the Miami Heat and Milwaukee Bucks.

Isiah’s Take (@IsiahCurry) 

For several months, the Heat had been clamoring to dethrone the defending champions, but in the end, another team was able to do it for them.

As we now look ahead for what’s official, the Heat will open this year’s Eastern Conference Finals against the Boston Celtics. With the NBA set to crown both a new Eastern and world champion within the next few weeks, this will certainly be Miami’s toughest series yet.

Dating back to January, the Celtics reincarnated into an elite defensive team and very quickly, they propelled through the top NBA rankings, eventually joining Miami as one of the best teams overall. With Miami undefeated at the FTX Arena this postseason, what will immediately hold the utmost importance for this series will be their home-court advantage.

If they can win two at home and snatch another at TD Garden, this series is theirs to win with a commanding 3-1 lead. Of course, that’ll be much easier said than done.

Outside of the Celtics’ defensive backing, which has been ignited by Marcus Smart, Robert Williams, and head coach Ime Udoka, they still hold a prolific two-headed offensive tandem of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. Ultimately, Miami will win this series in six games.

They consist of greater championship-level experience as well as a winning head coach in Erik Spoelstra. If Jimmy Butler can sustain his level of play as the best overall player on the court, he’ll earn himself Most Valuable in the conference finals.

It’ll also take a collective scoring and shooting effort from the reserves, such as Tyler Herro, who is no stranger to key performances against Boston. This truly has all the makings of an all-time classic series.

Prediction: Miami wins 4-2. Jimmy Butler wins Conference Finals MVP.