For the third time in four years, the Boston Celtics and Miami Heat are facing off for a place in the NBA Finals. Prior to 2020, the two teams had only ever had three playoff meetings. However, the rematch of a rematch just goes to show where these two franchises are at in their championship journeys.
For the Boston Celtics, a trip to the Conference Finals came after a back-and-forth series with the Sixers. However, 51 points from Jayson Tatum helped blow out Philadelphia in Game 7. Meanwhile, the Heat have been causing all sorts of trouble as an eight-seed. They knocked off the one-seed Bucks in the first round before downing the Knicks in six come the Conference Semis. This would be a masterclass battle between two hungry teams for a place in the NBA Finals.
A high-scoring first quarter saw the lead change hands 14 times, with Boston leading 30-28 at the break. With about 90 seconds left in the second, Boston had managed to stretch their lead to 13 and would go into the half up nine. But that’s when the Heat took over. Miami outscored Boston 46-25 in the third quarter, Up 12 entering the final period of play, the Heat would not relinquish the lead for the rest of the game. The Heat stole Game 1 at TD Garden, 123-116.
Jimmy Butler, aka Jimmy Buckets aka Playoff Jimmy, was once again vital for the Heat. Butler led all scorers with 35 points while adding 7 assists and 6 steals to the stat sheet too. Bam Adebayo was also key, dropping 20 points and leading the team in rebounds with eight. Furthermore, every Heat player who played at least 25 minutes scored at least 15 points. On the other side of the ball, Tatum led the Celtics with 30 points. Jaylen Brown also came close to a double-double, with 22 points and 9 rebounds. However, despite 30 points off the bench from Marcus Brogden and Derrick White, a consistent problem in the starting five was present again. Al Horford had 7 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 assists. While the veteran center is not expected to be a points machine, it’s concerning in what will be a high-scoring series.
Twitter Reacts
A Marcus Smart pass to Al Horford for three makes me want to run through a wall
— Charlotte Wilder (@TheWilderThings) May 18, 2023
Celtics: *waiting for Joe Mazzulla to make in-game adjustment*
The Sixers were one game away from making their Eastern Conference Finals since 2001. They had edged the Celtics in Game 5 to take a 3-2 series lead after previously trailing Boston 2-1. All they needed was one more win. Going into a home-court Game 6, the Sixers were the slight favorites to win. However, they would need big performances from all their major contributors. MVP Joel Embiid couldn’t be expected to carry the load.
On the other hand, the 57-win Celtics were looking to stay alive. They had squandered a series lead through some bad shooting nights. They were staring down the barrel of elimination. Despite the powerhouse tandem of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, the Celtics were struggling to overcome the MVP-led Sixers.
Both teams forgot how to play basketball at various points during this ugly Game 6. The Celtics started hot, jumping out to a 15-3 lead in the first. However, the Sixers finally found the right gear and only trailed by seven at the end of the quarter. That lead remained for Boston at the half as both teams scored 21 in the second. A big third quarter for the Sixers saw them lead by two going into the final frame but that’s when they once again forgot how to play basketball. Putting up just 13 in the fourth, the Celtics were able to take back the lead to squeak out a 95-86 win.
Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey jointly led all scorers with 26 points. However, P.J. Tucker and Tobias Harris combined for just 10 points, which cost the Sixers greatly. Furthermore, Philly’s bench scored just 11 points. As for the Celtics, they were led by Marcus Smart’s 22. However, they also had two other scorers put up at least 17 each. Despite scoring just two points, Al Horford shook off his ice-cold Game 5 to put up 11 rebounds. The scrappy team effort gives the Celtics the chance to clinch on their home court. They can find the win, it will be the third time in the last five seasons that they have made it to the Conference Finals.
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The two best words in sports: Game. Seven.
Tatum knocks down four 3-pt FG in the 4th quarter to lift the Celtics over the 76ers.
The 2023 NBA playoffs are heating up as eight teams find themselves entrenched in the semi-conference finals. In the East, the fifth-seed New York Knicks are taking on the eighth-seed Miami Heat. On the other side of the Eastern bracket, the second-seed Boston Celtics battle against the third-seed Philadelphia 76ers. In the West, the first-seed Denver Nuggets are facing off with the fourth-seed Phoenix Suns. In addition, the other side of the Western bracket features the seventh-seed Los Angeles Lakers against the sixth-seed Golden State Warriors.
There is a uniqueness to this year’s NBA playoffs, as many of the final teams entered as lower seeds. Both the Lakers and Heat made the playoffs through the play-in tournament, and yet they have now positioned themselves to make a run at the championship. Because of this, predictions for the conference finals have been all over the place. As the semi-conference finals wrap up, here’s a look at our NBA playoffs 2023 predictions for the conference finals.
Knicks Vs. Heat
(Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Winner: Miami Heat
The Miami Heat currently hold a 3-1 lead against the New York Knicks and it is likely that the Heat will be able to hold onto this lead and advance. While the Knicks showed great improvement this year, in large part due to their free agency signing of Jalen Brunson, the Heat’s playoff experience has gotten the better of the Knicks in this series. New York impressed in their series against the Cleveland Cavaliers. However, the Heat have been in full control of this series since Game 1.
With Jimmy Butler leading, the Miami Heat’s defense has suffocated the Knicks throughout the series. In Game 3, the Knicks only scored 86 points and have barely cracked the 100-point mark in most games. Along with this, the Heat’s mix of experienced veterans such as Kevin Love and Kyle Lowry and young newcomers such as Gabe Vincent and Max Strus has played their individual roles perfectly. Despite being the eighth seed, Miami has figured it out come playoff time. The Heat made the NBA Finals as a fifth seed in 2020, so Miami is no stranger to winning as an underdog. Although there’s no telling what the Knicks have in store, our NBA playoffs 2023 predictions for the semi-conference finals are leaning towards the Heat.
76ers Vs. Celtics
(Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
Winner: Philadelphia 76ers
Perhaps the most competitive series so far has been between the Philadelphia 76ers and the Boston Celtics. The 76ers recently won two straight and took a 3-2 lead heading into Boston for game 6. Led by MVP Joel Embiid and James Harden, the 76ers’ star power has been on full display throughout the series. While the Celtics’ own stars, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown have also played well, it is the difference of Embiid that will propel the 76ers into the next round.
The MVP has scored 30 or more points in the last three games of the series and Boston has been unable to find a way to stop him. While it seems this series may go to game 7, with Embiid healthy, it appears the 76ers will be hard to beat twice in a row. Because of their crucial game 5 victory, the 76ers look to be in full control of the series. Barring injury, the 76ers look like they will win this one. It is difficult to count the Celtics out, but it is even harder to bet against Joel Embiid.
Lakers Vs. Warriors
(Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Winner: Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers have been a curious case this year. Despite injuries and on-court struggles, much like the Heat, they found their rhythm at the right time. Both Anthony Davis and Lebron have played in top form throughout the playoffs. Along with this, mid-season acquisitions D’Angelo Russell, Jarred Vanderbilt, and Rui Hachimura have played significant roles in the Lakers’ late-season successes. While the Golden State Warriors are tough, a grueling seven-game series against the Sacramento Kings may have left the Warriors without much gas in the tank.
As the Lakers currently hold a 3-1 lead in the series, it seems that they will go on to win. Coming off a tough seven-game series, it appears that the Warriors do not have enough to overcome such a tall task. The Lakers’ offense has clicked all series and shows no sign of slowing down, as Lebron and AD combined for 50 points in game 4. The Lake Show will look to close out Golden State in the Bay Area in game 5.
Nuggets Vs. Suns
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Winner: Denver Nuggets
The Phoenix Suns overloaded their roster with a trade for Kevin Durant at this year’s trade deadline in hopes of winning an NBA Championship. However, behind Nikola Jokic, the Nuggets currently hold a 3-2 lead and look ready to finish the series. Jokic posted a triple-double in game 5 and it seems that the Nuggets are on the brink of playing in the conference finals. While the Suns have been impressive in this series, an injury to Chris Paul has significantly hurt Phoenix’s chances.
Role players such as Aaron Gordon, Michael Porter Jr., and Bruce Brown have been crucial for the Nuggets’ success and the entire team is executing at a high level, especially on the offensive side of the ball. Aside from game 1, each of the following games has been a shootout, and without Chris Paul, it will be difficult for the Suns to go bucket for bucket with the Nuggets. Much like Joel Embiid and the 76ers, it is difficult to bet against Nikola Jokic, especially when his team holds a 3-2 lead. Because of this, the Nuggets will finish off this series in the next few games and become one step closer to an NBA Championship.
As expected, everything has been left on the court in the Eastern Conference matchup between the Sixers and Celtics. After Philly took Game 1, the Celtics responded by jumping out to a 2-1 series lead. It’s pitted MVP Joel Embiid against some of his fiercest competition of the season as both teams tried to take one step closer to an NBA title.
May 7’s Game 4 was an overtime thriller. Despite the Sixers carrying a nine-point lead into the half, Boston was able to get themselves back into the game and end regulation at 107-107. The defenses ramped up in the extra period with the teams combining for just 17 points as the Sixers managed to scrap out a 116-115 lead to even the series. That would mean Game 5, hosted by Boston, would allow one team to control their own destiny.
Both teams had big performances in Game 5. Joel Embiid absolutely balled out for the Sixers, putting up 33 points and 7 rebounds. Tyrese Maxey wasn’t far behind him, scoring 30 and adding another 7 boards. Elsewhere, James Harden and Tobias Harris both put up double-doubles. However, the Celtics’ Jayson Tatum led all scorers with a 36-point double-double. His teammate Jaylen Brown scored 24. However, Tatum and Brown didn’t have the depth to rely on like the Sixers. The only other Celtic to reach double digits was Marcus Smart. Al Horford in particular had an awful night, playing just 25 minutes and going 0-for-7 on shots.
The lack of depth contribution from the Celtics cost the team dearly. Boston held the lead once in the entire game and trailed from the 90-second mark onwards. They were outrebounded by 13 and were unable to find answers for Philly at either end of the court. If the Celtics don’t want to see their season end in Philadelphia, they need to find and new strategy and fast. The potentially series-ending Game 6 takes place at Wells Fargo Center on May 11. ESPN analytics give the Sixers the end, while oddsmakers back Boston as slight favorites.
Sports broadcasting is always trying new things. Sometimes these things work, such as the NFL’s Skycam. Other times, it takes a while for things to catch on, such as Fox‘s Cletus the Football Robot. There has also been the revelation of spring football leagues, where new tech is often trialed. The USFL has previously introduced innovations like helmet cams.
Basketball is a difficult sport to film, given the much smaller court and the need for quick and frequent transitions. In the past, broadcasters such as ABC have utilized a high-angle, track-mounted cam to be able to follow the action. But in Game 2 of the Sixers-Celtics series, TNT debuted a quadcopter drone to fly over the game at various points. Safe to say, people do not like this.
The drone cam footage, which obviously can only do so much given it’s about 10 feet off the ground and can’t get too close to the action, is just kind of weird. It gives the game an uncanny valley, NBA 2K-esque look. It doesn’t feel like you’re actually watching a basketball game. Even worse, you don’t even get to play the fake video game you’re watching. Furthermore, the footage is not of the same quality as the HD TV broadcast, making it jarring to switch between the two. While it’s kind of neat to see drone technology like this, what’s it really adding to the experience?
The general consensus on social media was that everyone hates the drone. This is mostly because it doesn’t add anything to the experience, and also looks bad. One Twitter user posted a picture of Hitchbot with the comment “When they try that drone came in Philly”. Hitchbot was a hitchhiking robot that successfully hitchhiked coast-to-coast in Canada. They tried the same experiment in the US, and Hitchbot was brutally murdered as soon as he reached Philadelphia. Another user expressed their sympathy for the media team, who presumably had the drone cam forced upon them. Again, drone cam sounds fun in theory but in practice, is a superfluous novelty that doesn’t actually add anything to the viewing experience.
After missing the past two games, Joel Embiid was finally able to return to the court for the Philadelphia 76ers. The Sixers had managed without him in Game 1 against the Boston Celtics, largely thanks to James Harden. Harden had put up 45 points to steal a road win in Boston. However, the Sixers needed Embiid back on the court to stand a chance at weathering the Boston storm long-term.
However, the Sixers’ Game 1 win put the team in a good position. Rather than utilize Embiid to play catch up on their Eastern Conference rivals, they could use their MVP to extend their lead. The Sixers have not progressed past the Conference Semifinals since the 2000-01 season. They are 0-6 in the second round of the playoffs since that season. Two of those series losses have come against the Celtics.
So about capitalizing on that lead with Embiid back. Understandably, Doc Rivers played his MVP cautiously. The center had 15 points, 3 rebounds, and 5 blocks in 27 minutes. However, no one was able to set up to replace his productivity, even with Rivers using all but one of his bench players. Tobias Harris led the team in scoring with 16 points. Meanwhile, Philly’s nine bench players saw a combined 97 minutes on the floor but only managed to add 26 points, 14 rebounds, and 6 assists. Embiid and Harris were the only Sixers starters to reach 15 points.
The real story of the game came from the Celtics’ defense. After allowing the Sixers to sink 17 threes in Game 1, Boston forced an awful 6-for-30 shooting night from behind the arc in Game 2. While Jayson Tatum put up just seven points on a foul-riddled night, other Celtics stepped up offensively. Jaylen Brown led all scorers with 25 points while Marcus Brogdon added 23 from the bench. The resulting 121-87 drubbing becomes Philly’s fourth-worst playoff loss in team history. Ironically, the worst playoff loss, a 40-point loss in 1982, also came at the hands of the Celtics. However, the Sixers will get the chance to bounce back at home as the series moves to Philadelphia. The Sixers went 29-12 at Wells Fargo Center during the regular season. Game 3 is set for May 5 at 7:30pm.
While the Philadelphia 76ers have only been without newly-crowned MVP Joel Embiid for two games, it has felt like an age for fans. Embiid was assessed to have an LCL sprain in his right knee following Game 3 of the first-round matchup between the Sixers and Nets. This forced Embiid to miss the series-sealing Game 4. The Sixers are not an “Embiid or bust” team. However, the star’s absence has definitely been felt on the court.
Ahead of their second-round matchup against the Boston Celtics, Sixers head coach Doc Rivers warned fans that Embiid was likely not ready to play in Game 1. However, even without Embiid, the Sixers managed to steal a win on the road thanks to the heroics of James Harden. Harden put up 45 points in the Sixers’ Game 1 road victory. But now, finally, Sixers fans are set to receive some good news.
Embiid Back Barring Setback
Joel Embiid is set to return for Game 2 against the Celtics barring setbacks, sources tell @ShamsCharania.
Embiid, named the league’s MVP last night, told his teammates, “I’m back,” during a quick 76ers celebration, league sources told The Athletic.
First reported by The Athletic, Joel Embiid will appear in May 3’s Game 2 provided he is able to get through Wednesday’s team shootaround and pre-game workout. Embiid will also likely be asked about his playing condition at an NBA press conference concerning his MVP award. Confidence seems high though, with Embiid the first player onto the court during the team workout on Wednesday morning. Game 2 between the Sixers and Celtics is scheduled to begin at 8:00PM EDT. The game will take place at Boston’s TD Garden.
However, Rivers is still being cautious about his star player’s condition. “It’s just health-based. If he can play, he plays. If he can’t, he can’t. And if it’s 50-50, we would probably err on the other side [and not have him play], because we’ve done that all year,” Rivers said on Tuesday afternoon. Embiid appeared in 66 regular season games for the Sixers this season. That was third-highest amongst starters, trailing P.J. Tucker and Tobias Harris. Additionally, through three playoff games, Embiid is averaging 20 points and 11.3 rebounds per game. Who do you think will win between the Sixers and Celtics? Be sure to make HotNewHipHop your number one stop for all the latest sports news.
It’s far from uncommon to see Lil Babyposted up courtside during an NBA basketball game, but this time he brought the whole family. Moreover, Baby captured a video of him with his loved ones, presumably including his kids and other members. Of course, the Atlanta MC isn’t one to always be flaunting his family around on the ‘Gram, and likes to keep things private from what his social media presence indicates. However, given that the Atlanta Hawks were facing elimination from the playoffs against the Boston Celtics, perhaps this was a special occasion. Unfortunately, their home team lost to the Celtics, but that’s easier to digest when you’re so close to the action.
Furthermore, the “Hats Off” rapper popped out with former girlfriend Jayda Cheaves at multiple Hawks games this season. Many debated whether Jayda should still be around him, but at least their relationship is amicable and friendly in the first place. They also link up often at social gatherings, so it’s clear that things are smooth between them, which helps the family. Unfortunately for the 28-year-old, things just got a lot more complicated.
Lil Baby Takes His Family To Final Hawks Playoff Game In 2023
First off, Instagram model Daliesha Keyes allegedly faked a paternity test and claimed that Lil Baby fathered her child. When she first revealed the DNA test, fans thought that the MC was now a father of three. Since then, reports suggested that Keyes’ claims were false to begin with, and Baby didn’t even have to say anything about it. Also, that news broke just days after his baby mama Ayesha Howard explained why she would never get back with him.
Meanwhile, fans caused an uproar after pictures of the It’s OnlyMe star and Khloé Kardashian dining together surfaced. Not only did it take a lot of people by surprise, but it also fired up relationship conspiracy theorists. After all, many out there believe in such a thing as the Kardashian Curse. After those photos spread on social media, many think that his career might flop. However, if he has “Sum 2 Prove,” it’s that he can keep dropping great gems- which he did as recently as this week. Regardless, log back into HNHH for the latest news and updates on Lil Baby.
Nia Long says that she and Ime Udoka’s son, Kez, is having a “really tough time” with his dad’s affair scandal. The Celtics famously suspended Udoka for the entirety of the 2022–23 season for violations of team policies. He reportedly had an improper intimate relationship with a female staff member of the organization. The team has since replaced him with Joe Mazzulla as head coach. Nia Long addressed how the scandal impacted her family during an interview with The Cut.
“My only focus right now is my youngest son ’cause he’s having a really tough time,” the actress said. “I’m sure I have some things that I’m suppressing, but I have to do that to take care of him first. That’s the giving. It’s natural.” She added: “I’m sure I’ll have to circle back with myself several times to reconcile things, but the one thing I’m trying not to harbor is anger.”
Nia Long With Kez
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JUNE 15: Nia Long and Kez Sunday Udoka attend Brooklyn Nets v Milwaukee Bucks game at Barclays Center of Brooklyn on June 15, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by James Devaney/Getty Images)
Later in the interview, Long called out the Celtics organization for choosing to make their business public knowledge. “The Celtics made a choice to make my family business public, and I don’t understand why,” she said. “It could’ve all been handled internally. I do understand why, but I can’t talk about it. Maybe one day I will. You know, fear drives stupidity, and I’ll leave that right there. I’ve learned that I’m stronger than I ever thought I was.”
Despite the drama, Nia Long says that the support she’s received from fans has helped her get through it. “It saved my mental well-being because I felt uplifted by the community in a way that felt like my family was checking in and making sure I was OK,” she shared. “And that, I appreciated.”
Udoka apologized after the incident became public. “I am sorry for putting the team in this difficult situation, and I accept the team’s decision,” he said in a statement to ESPN. “Out of respect for everyone involved, I will have no further comment.” He’s yet to officially join another team.
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