The Miami Heat are back in the Eastern Conference Finals for the second time in three years and for the second time in the Jimmy Butler Era. Ironically enough, they are facing off against the same team that they faced off against in that last appearance back in the NBA Bubble, the Boston Celtics.
As for the Celtics, they are in the conference finals for the eighth time in the last two decades, though they’ve only won two of the previous seven appearances with one NBA Finals title among them. With them out of the way, it’s time to look at a few Miami Heat numbers.
This is also the Miami Heat’s eighth appearance in the conference finals in the last 20 years, however, the Miami Heat have three titles to show for all of their troubles. One thing is certain though, three titles across two decades is pretty good.
That goes for that fact and the next one.
Erik Spoelstra is 5-0 in the Eastern Conference Finals.
— jeremy taché (@jeremytache) May 13, 2022
As the Miami Heat enter Game 1 of their Eastern Conference Finals matchup with Boston, history favors them. Coach Spo is 5-0 in ECF appearances.
The Miami Heat go into this series with all the good juju on their side. Their coach has never been defeated in a conference finals matchup.
Coach Spoelstra could be the luckiest man in the world. Anytime he makes it this far, he automatically has all the bounces and tips go in his team’s favor.
Spo could be laser-focused on the task at hand once he advances that far, not being able to be defeated thus far. That could be the case.
Or, it could be a bit of both. Either way you slice it, this guy is just different when he gets his team to the conference finals.
The Miami Heat have to be able to play solid defense for as many games as it takes, while also ensuring that the surrounding guys can give Jimmy Butler enough support to help take them to the next round, the NBA Finals.
if Coach Spo’s record is any indication of what’s to come though, they should be fine.