This should have been the Celtics’ year. After falling to the Warriors in the 2022 NBA Finals, the Celtics maintained their momentum and secured the second seed in the East ahead of the 2023 playoffs. With the first-seed Bucks crashing out in five games, that should have been the trigger for the Celtics to take over. However, the team missed multiple opportunities to close out the Hawks in the first round. Once again, they took an early lead against the Sixers in the second round, but eventually needed seven games to overcome their fierce rivals.
Things got even worse in the Conference Finals. The Heat took over from Game 1 and now the Celtics find themselves in a 3-0 hole. Malcolm Brogdon has been a key contributor throughout the playoffs. Against Miami, he has had less of an impact but is still averaging 10.7 points and 77.8% free-throw shooting. But nothing the Celtics have done has been enough to overcome the Celtics. Now facing elimination, Brogden has spoken out.
Brogdon Puts Celtics On Blast
MIAMI, FLORIDA – MAY 21: Malcolm Brogdon #13 of the Boston Celtics drives against Gabe Vincent #2 of the Miami Heat during the second quarter in game three of the Eastern Conference Finals at Kaseya Center on May 21, 2023 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
“I think it’s teams that have a strong identity,” Brogdon said on Monday ahead of Tuesday’s Game 4. “I think Miami is one of the teams, one of the few teams in the league — Miami, Denver, there are only a few of them — that have a really strong identity, and they play by it every single night. They’re super committed to it. And, for us, our identity has waned all year long. We’ve been trying to figure out who we are, because I think we’re such a great, talented scoring team, but when we don’t make shots, we got to rely on our defense, and our defense isn’t consistent every night. So, playing a team that’s very consistent and disciplined, we struggle.”
He continued. “We haven’t been consistently great defensively all year long, and that was the team’s identity last year,” Brogdon said. “I think that’s slipped away from us. We’ve had spurts where we’ve been great defensively, but not consistently. And, honestly, we’ve struggled in every series we’ve played. So, now we’re playing a team that’s playing as if they’re the best team in the league, and they’re just incredibly disciplined, incredibly consistent. And I think we’ve struggled with teams that are consistent on a possession-by-possession basis every night.”
Jimmy Butler taunted both Al Horford and Grant Williams during the Miami Heat’s blowout win over the Boston Celtics in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals on Sunday night. The two Celtics players had previously came at Butler during Game 2 of the series. In firing back on Sunday, Butler reused the same timeout taunt that Horford had done the game prior.
During Game 2, the Celtics had been leading the way in the 4th quarter when Grant Williams got in the face of Jimmy Butler. From there on, Butler dominated the matchup and lead the Heat on a clutch run to give them the victory.
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – MAY 19: Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat exchanges words with Grant Williams #12 of the Boston Celtics during the fourth quarter in game two of the Eastern Conference Finals at TD Garden on May 19, 2023, in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
“He hit a big shot, started talking to me. I like that,” Butler said of his altercation with Williams after Game 2. “I’m all for that. It makes me key in a lot more, it pushes that will that I have to win a lot more. It makes me smile, it does.”
As for Game 3, the Heat came away victorious in their return to Miami by a margin of 128-102. Celtics stars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown combined for 26 points on 12-of-35 shooting “I don’t even know where to start,” Brown said after the game. “It’s an obvious letdown. I feel like we let our fan base, organization down. We let ourselves down. And it was collective. We can point fingers, but in reality, it was just embarrassing.” Check out Jimmy Butler’s celebration below.
With the win, Jimmy Butler and the Miami Heat improve to 3-0 in the series. They’ll look to close things out on their home floor on Tuesday night. If victorious, they’ll return to the NBA Finals for the second time in four years.
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 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
Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
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.
Jack Harlow was sitting courtside during the Miami Heat’s 108-101 win over the New York Knicks in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals on Sunday afternoon. During the game, he joked that Kyle Lowry crashed into him after throwing up a three-point shot.
“Kyle Lowry just took a fadeaway 3 and landed in my lap,” Harlow wrote. “The rumors are true. His shit was like a pillow.” Fans played into Harlow’s joking in the comments section when the Instagram Story post was shared by No Jumper. “It should have been me. not him. it’s not fair,” one user wrote. Another commented, “I swear, the n****s that be in these comments tryna be tough and act hella straight be the same dudes who hold each other down and hump they friends in a locker room. Don’t be mad because he funny and comfortable with himself to make these gay jokes.”
Kyle Lowry During Game 1
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – APRIL 30: Kyle Lowry #7 of the Miami Heat reacts in the fourth quarter against the New York Knicks during game one of the Eastern Conference Semifinals at Madison Square Garden on April 30, 2023 in New York City. The Miami Heat defeated the New York Knicks 108-101. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Harlow’s appearance at the game comes as he celebrates the release of his new album, Jackman. HitsDailyDouble reports that the album is projected to move 45,000 to 50,000 album-equivalent units in the first week of availability.
As for Kyle Lowry, he and the Miami Heat will look to take another game in New York on Tuesday. It’s unclear whether their star Jimmy Butler will be available after suffering an injury on Sunday. Head coach Erik Spoelstra didn’t provide much more information when asked about his status after the game. “No idea,” he told reporters. “You just don’t know with ankle sprains. I don’t even know if we’ll know more by (Monday). We’ll just have to see. It’ll be a waiting game. But he did not want to come out of the game, so we left him in there.” The Heat are coming off of a shocking first-round upset over the Milwaukee Bucks who entered the playoffs as the 1-seed.
(@nojumper)