Miami Heat: Predicting ECF Results, Games Played, And MVP – Colton’s Take
The number one seed in the East is in for a junkyard brawl in the Eastern Conference Finals.
Colton’s Take (@CMoleskyNBC15)
The Miami Heat vs. Boston Celtics is a heavyweight boxing match for the ages, pitting the number one team in defensive rating (Boston) against the number four team (Miami).
The Celtics, fresh off a gritty series against the current best player in the world, watched Jayson Tatum grow into a true NBA blue-chip piece. He showed that he actually has the mustard to be the player that makes a roster a true championship contender.
He really is him. In the other corner, Jimmy Butler is putting together a truly insane playoff run.
Butler is averaging nearly 29 points, eight rebounds, and five assists on 52 percent shooting and 2.1 steals per game.
Not only does each side have a prizefighter, but both rosters are incredibly deep. Grant Williams and Payton Pritchard were instrumental in a Game 7 win over the defending champions.
Max Strus and Victor Oladipo played better off Miami’s bench than James Harden for the Philadelphia 76ers. With so many variables, I give Miami the slight edge.
Each team needs a variety of role players to go off for a win and homecourt advantage will make a huge difference in a potential Game 7. That seventh, eighth, and ninth guy plays a lot better at home in game seven.
That’s key to this series.
Prediction: Miami wins 4-3. Jimmy Butler wins Conference Finals MVP.