Oshae Brissett #12 of the Boston Celtics celebrates after hitting a three-point shot against the Detroit Pistons during the second half at TD Garden on March 18, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Celtics defeat the Pistons 119-94.
(Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
The longstanding rivalry between the Miami Heat and Boston Celtics is well-known.
This rivalry traces back to the Paul Pierce-LeBron James era and has only intensified since their departures.
Traditionally, Erik Spoelstra’s Heat have often come out on top against the Celtics, regardless of playoff seeding, regular-season records, or player lineups.
However, heading into their first-round matchup, the Celtics appear to hold a significant advantage over their Eastern Conference foes.
This sentiment was echoed by Celtics’ Oshae Brissett, who didn’t shy away from stirring the pot ahead of Game 1.
“See you guys on Sunday. Keep chanting ‘We want Celtics. We will continue this conversation after the first round.” – Oshae Brissett. pic.twitter.com/tHIBBJhqkV
— Adam Taylor (@AdamTaylorNBA) April 21, 2024
As highlighted by Adam Taylor on Twitter, Brissett directly addressed Heat fans who chanted “We want Celtics” during their Play-In Tournament victory over the Chicago Bulls, indicating that their conversation would extend beyond the first round.
The Celtics currently boast one of the most talented and well-rounded teams in the league, having secured the best record in the NBA by a considerable margin.
Moreover, the Heat will be without Jimmy Butler due to an MCL injury, and Terry Rozier may also miss playing time.
Nonetheless, Erik Spoelstra’s coaching prowess and the Heat’s postseason resilience suggest that the Celtics cannot afford to underestimate their opponents. They must assert their dominance early in the series.
The Celtics are contenders for the championship, and falling short of an NBA Finals appearance would be deemed a disappointment.
