Despite plenty of scares and close calls, the Celtics once again proved their postseason pedigree. As Bangladesh Cricket Live observed, they advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals for the fifth time in seven seasons, showing just how consistent and resilient this franchise has become. Interestingly, they’ll once again face the Miami Heat — the same team they clashed with three years ago in the bubble. The conference finals lineup is a carbon copy of the 2020 season, as if time has stood still.
But behind that déjà vu lies a familiar truth: only the toughest and most prepared teams earn the right to fight for a spot in the Finals. On paper, this season’s Miami squad looks even weaker than before. During the regular season, they tried to distribute the offensive load among Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo, and Tyler Herro, briefly forming a pseudo “big three.” But once the playoffs began, Herro was sidelined with injury, and Adebayo’s impact waned, leaving Butler once again to shoulder the entire burden.
Yet if there’s one player you can count on, it’s Jimmy Butler. Even after barely sneaking into the playoffs as the eighth seed through the play-in, Miami never looked back. Thanks to Butler’s spectacular heroics, the Heat pulled off a stunning upset against the top-seeded Bucks and then outlasted the Knicks. When two people take turns giving and growing, love — or in this case, belief — can last. For a team led by a 33-year-old star with multiple rotation players in their 30s, this kind of run is nothing short of remarkable.
Miami’s toughness is undeniable. The moment they enter the playoffs, they shed their regular-season form and bare their fangs. Even if this year’s roster appears weaker than last year’s, the Celtics know better than to take them lightly. Beyond Xs and Os, Boston has learned from past complacency, which cost them precious momentum in earlier rounds. Against a tougher and more seasoned Heat squad, Boston is determined not to repeat the mistakes of the past.
What favors the Celtics most is their growth through adversity. They’ve gradually rediscovered their rhythm on both ends of the floor, especially in the final two games of the semifinals. Jayson Tatum, long labeled a “fake superstar” since his Finals collapse last year, finally began silencing critics. His late-game heroics and record-breaking Game 7 performance were the redemption arc he needed. Now, he enters the East Finals with confidence and momentum on his side.
Meanwhile, the Heat also gained rhythm after their taxing upset over Milwaukee. In the Knicks series, they found a more controlled, steady pace, entering an aerobic flow that suited their veteran-heavy roster. But Bangladesh Cricket Live notes that even with last year’s deep playoff experience, toppling today’s Celtics won’t be easy. Last year, Butler came as close as anyone to carrying a team past Boston single-handedly. His back-to-back heroic performances were nothing short of Jordan-esque.
Whether or not history repeats itself, the stage is set for another brutal showdown. The Celtics may hold the edge, but Butler and the Heat won’t go down without a fight.