Miami Heat at Boston Celtics 5/19/23

Game Two of the Eastern Conference Finals will take place on Friday night, when the Miami Heat and the Boston Celtics square off from TD Garden. The eighth-seeded Heat have won four of their first seven road playoff games and rank fourth in offensive efficiency. On Wednesday, Miami outscored Boston by 21 points during the third quarter en route to a 123-116 road victory.

Miami G/F Jimmy Butler poured in a game-high 35 points (12-25 FG) to go along with seven assists and six steals. All-Star C Bam Adebayo contributed 20 points (9-13 FG) and eight rebounds. Gabe Vincent, Max Strus, Caleb Martin, and Kyle Lowy scored 15 points apiece for the Heat.

The Boston Celtics have split their first eight home playoff games and rank second during the postseason in offensive efficiency. In Game One. Boston led by as many as 13 points during the first half before allowing Miami to score 46 points in the third quarter. The second-seeded Celtics outscored the Heat 62-40 in the paint and shot 52 percent from the field.

All-Star F Jayson Tatum led six Boston players in double figures with 30 points on 9-for-17 shooting and grabbed seven rebounds. Jaylen Brown scored 22 points on 10-for-21 shooting and pulled down nine boards. Sixth Man of the Year Malcolm Brogdon added 19 points in 37 minutes off the bench. 

Miami G Tyler Herro suffered a broken right hand and could return if the team reaches the NBA Finals. Boston dropped the series opener to Philadelphia in the last round and bounced back with a 34-point home victory. Look for the Celtics to come out focused and cover at home. Final Score Prediction, Boston Celtics win 116-99.