The NBA regular season is over, and the playoffs are about to begin. But before we look ahead to the postseason, let’s take a moment to reflect on the season that was for two of the Eastern Conference’s most storied franchises: the Miami Heat and the Boston Celtics.
The Heat and the Celtics faced each other four times in the regular season, with each team winning two games. However, the results of those games tell a very different story about the state of each team.
Game 1: Heat 118, Celtics 107 (May 17, 2022)
The first game between the Heat and the Celtics was a preview of the Eastern Conference Finals that would take place later that year. The Heat, led by Jimmy Butler’s 26 points and 11 assists, dominated the Celtics from start to finish, leading by as many as 26 points in the fourth quarter. The Celtics, who were without Jaylen Brown due to a wrist injury, had no answer for the Heat’s balanced attack, as six players scored in double figures for Miami. The Heat improved to 40-32 with the win, while the Celtics fell to 35-37.
Game 2: Celtics 102, Heat 82 (May 23, 2022)
The second game between the Heat and the Celtics was a must-win for Boston, who needed to secure the seventh seed in the play-in tournament. The Celtics, led by Jayson Tatum’s 32 points and 10 rebounds, bounced back from their previous loss and held the Heat to a season-low 82 points. The Heat, who had already clinched the fourth seed, rested some of their key players, including Butler, Bam Adebayo, and Kyle Lowry. The Celtics improved to 36-38 with the win, while the Heat dropped to 40-33.
Game 3: Celtics 110, Heat 97 (May 26, 2023)
The third game between the Heat and the Celtics was the first of the 2023-24 season, and it marked the return of Brown, who had missed the entire 2022-23 season due to a torn ACL. The Celtics, who had revamped their roster in the offseason by adding Al Horford, Derrick White, and Malcolm Brogdon, looked like a rejuvenated team, as they beat the Heat by 13 points. The Heat, who had retained most of their core from the previous season, struggled to find their rhythm, as they shot only 39% from the field and 21% from three. The Celtics improved to 1-0 with the win, while the Heat fell to 0-1.
Game 4: Heat 110, Celtics 143 (January 26, 2024)
The fourth and final game between the Heat and the Celtics was a blowout, as the Celtics scored a season-high 143 points and handed the Heat their worst loss of the season. The Celtics, who had emerged as the best team in the East with a 37-10 record, were unstoppable on offense, as they shot 57% from the field and 48% from three. The Heat, who had fallen to the sixth seed with a 25-22 record, had no answer for the Celtics’ firepower, as they gave up 42 points in the first quarter and never recovered. The Celtics improved to 38-10 with the win, while the Heat dropped to 25-23.
Conclusion
The four games between the Heat and the Celtics showed the contrasting fortunes of the two teams over the past two seasons. The Heat, who were the reigning Eastern Conference champions in 2022, have failed to replicate their success and have fallen behind the competition. The Celtics, who were the seventh seed in 2022, have bounced back from their disappointing season and have become the favorites to win the East. The Heat and the Celtics could meet again in the playoffs, but based on their regular season performances, the Celtics have the clear edge over the Heat.
