The Celtics and Heat are set to face off in the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since the 2012 postseason. The Celtics went 2-1 against the Heat during the regular season, but those matchups mean little now since just one came after the trade deadline and neither came with either team at close to full strength. Let's take a closer look at the new and improved Heat this postseason and the areas the Celtics will be honing in on at the playoff series kicks off on Tuesday night.
Heat Basics
- Offensive rating: 111.9 (seventh) | Playoffs: 112.9 (fifth)
- Defensive rating: 109.3 (12th) | Playoffs: 105.4 (fourth)
- Pace: 27th
Strengths for Heat Offense
3-point shooting
High-volume marksman (never leave them tier)
Duncan Robinson: 39.3 percent/6.8 attempts per game (44.6 percent in regular season)
Goran Dragic: 38.1 percent/7 attempts per game (36.7 percent in regular season)
Tyler Herro: 40 percent/6.1 attempts per game (38.9 percent in regular season)
Jae Crowder: 40 percent/8.3 attempts per game (44.5 percent in 20 regular season games for Heat)
Analysis:
Marcus Smart
Kemba Walker
Jae Crowder
Don’t leave them wide-open tier
Jimmy Butler: 50 percent/2 attempts per game (24.4 percent in regular season)
Kelly Olynyk: 36.4 percent/2.7 attempts per game (40.6 percent in regular season)
Kedrick Nunn: 13.3 percent/2.5 attempts per game
(35 percent in regular season)
Analysis:
Daniel Theis,
Grant Williams
Rob Williams
Enes Kanter
Help off them at 3-point line
Andre Iguodala: 29.4 percent/1.9 attempts per game (29.8 percent in regular season)
Derrick Jones Jr.: 50 percent/0.9 attempts per game (28 percent in regular season)
Bam Adebayo: 0 attempts in postseason
Analysis:
Marc Gasol, Pascal Siakam
Al Horford
Getting to the FT Line
Jimmy Butler
Goran Dragic
Bam Adebayo
Brad Stevens
Having multiple threats on the floor at all times
HEAT WEAKNESSES ON OFFENSE
Turnovers
Offensive rebounding
Shot creation from secondary scoring options
Duncan Robinson
it.
Coming up this evening…the Celtics offense vs. the Heat defense