Written by: Chaim Cohen
16 May, 2022
Who will win the 2020 ECF Rematch?
In 2020 when these teams played each other in the bubble the Heat bested the Celtics in 6 games but a lot has changed since then. While both teams have relatively stayed the same, playing in the bubble was much different from playing in stadiums. There is a lot more pressure when fans are in the stadium, but seeing the same teams play just proves that the Heat and Celtics were "bubble frauds". When they first played the Heat were just the more complete basketball team and Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown weren't the same players that they are today. In just these playoffs Jayson Tatum has knocked off the two best players in the world in Kevin Durant and Giannis Antetokounmpo. At this point, it's fair to say Tatum is the best player left in the East. This series will be mainly in the hands of the role players for the Celtics to step up, the same way Grant Williams did in game 6 vs. the Bucks. The Heat come into this series as a slightly better-coached and balanced team. I still do expect some big performances from 6x All-Star, Jimmy Butler. I expect this series to be back and fourth and it will come down to whoever wants it more. In these playoffs, the Heat have played with great intensity and I expect them to keep it up, but don't be surprised if the Celtics '#1 ranked defense led by DPOY, Marcus Smart, out hustles the Heat. I expect this to be competitive but think the Celtics edge out the Heat in 7.
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