Celtics vs Heat Series Preview: Previous Matchups, Key Players, and Schedule

• Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown led the Celtics to a 4-3 series win over the Sixers
• Jimmy Butler powered the Heat to an impressive 4-2 series win over the Knicks
• The Celtics and the Heat split their regular season series 

The Miami Heat advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals after defeating the New York Knicks in Game 6 of their best-of-seven series on Friday night.

The Heat will next face the Boston Celtics, who needed seven games to eliminate the Philadelphia 76ers.

Sports Brief breaks down the upcoming playoff series between the Celtics and the Heat.

Previous meetings this season

The Celtics and the Heat tied their regular season series at two games apiece. Boston won the first two meetings by an average of 10 points.

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The Heat finally recorded their first win against the Celtics on December 2, pulling off a 120-116 overtime victory.

They evened the season series on January 24, with Miami recording a 98-95 win, per ESPN. The Heat rallied from 10 points down in the fourth quarter to grab the victory in the series finale.

Key players for the Celtics

All eyes will be on Tatum as the Celtics begin their playoff showdown against the Heat this Wednesday. He willed Boston to victory against Philadelphia in Game 7, scoring 51 points in the series clincher.

Tatum averaged 30.8 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 4.3 assists in four meetings with the Heat this season.

Jaylen Brown also loves playing against Miami in the playoffs, averaging 23.7 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 2.9 assists in 13 postseason games against the Heat.

Key players for the Heat

The Miami Heat continued their dream playoff run, eliminating the fourth-seeded New York Knicks in six games in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

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Jimmy Butler has been unstoppable in this year’s playoffs, averaging 31.1 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 5.4 assists in 10 postseason games.

Butler can’t do it all alone, though, and he will need some help for the Heat to beat the Celtics in the Eastern Conference Finals.

One guy who needs to step up for the Heat in the next playoff series is Bam Adebayo.

He scored 23 points and grabbed nine rebounds in the closeout game against New York.

Series schedule

Game 1: Miami Heat at Boston Celtics, TD Garden (May 17, 8:30 p.m. ET)

Game 2: Miami Heat at Boston Celtics, TD Garden (May 19, 8:30 p.m. ET) 

Game 3: Boston Celtics at Miami Heat, Kaseya Center (May 21, 8:30 p.m. ET) 

Game 4: Boston Celtics at Miami Heat, Kaseya Center (May 23, 8:30 p.m. ET) 

Game 5: Miami Heat at Boston Celtics, TD Garden (May 25, 8:30 p.m. ET)*

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Game 6: Boston Celtics at Miami Heat, Kaseya Center (May 27, 8:30 p.m. ET)*

Game 7: Miami Heat at Boston Celtics, TD Garden (May 29, 8:30 p.m. ET) *

* If necessary 

Fans react to Tatum’s incredible performance

Sports Brief recently reported on the fans and players’ reactions to Tatum delivering an offensive masterclass in Game 7 of the Celtics-Sixers series.

They paid tribute to the 25-year-old star, who scored 51 points in the winner-take-all contest.

He scored 25 of his 51 points in the first half of Game 7 against the Sixers.