The Miami Heat come into Wednesday night’s Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals heavy underdogs and ESPN Analytics feel no differently.
According to the network, the Celtics hold an 85.9% chance of taking a 1-0 lead in the series, as opposed to eighth-seeded Miami’s 14.1%.
HEAT VS. CELTICS 😤
Who do you have advancing to the Finals? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/F1DBajpgZq
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) May 14, 2023
Miami has been doubted all postseason long after losing sharpshooting scorer Tyler Herro and key bench contributor Victor Oladipo to injuries in Round 1, but they’ve found a way to make it to their third ECF in four years (all of which came against the Celtics) behind some stellar performances from Jimmy Butler.
Last season, the Heat’s season ended on a missed three-pointer in the final seconds. This year, Butler has vowed that he’ll get his revenge.
This year is our year. We’re going to go into this game 1 and do what we’re supposed to do and be the first one to four. We are very capable of it. We have enough. Guys are playing some incredible basketball. I like our chances, as does everyone in this organization.
Tip-off is at 8:30 PM ET live from Boston.