-Charles-LeClaire-USA-TODAY-Sports-3
During the Eastern Conference Semifinals between the Heat and 76ers the Heat’s best player Jimmy Butler has really stepped up. In the playoffs so far, Butler is averaging 28.7 points per game on 52.5% shooting, with 7.6 rebounds per game, and 5.4 assists per game. The Heat have beaten the Hawks in five games and the Joel Embiid led 76ers to get them to the Eastern Conference finals. A couple of other players that have really helped the Heat this season are point guard Kyle Lowry who averaged 13.4 ppg, 7.5 assists per game, while shooting 44% from the field, and center Bam Adebayo who in the regular season averaged 19.1 points per game, 10.1 rebounds per game, and 3.4 assists per game.
The team the Heat will be facing in the Eastern Conference Finals are the Boston Celtics, who swept the Nets in their first round series, and took down Giannis and the defending Champion Milwaukee Bucks. It has been a team effort for the Celtics, who have displayed great offense, and defense throughout the playoffs. On offense the Celtics are led by their best player Jayson Tatum who is averaging 28.3 points per game, 6.1 assists per game, and 5.6 rebounds per game in the postseason. A couple of other players who have really come through during the regular season, and postseason are Marcus Smart, Jaylen Brown, and Al Horford. Marcus Smart won defensive player of the year for Boston, and makes some timely buckets, While Jaylen Brown who is the Celtics second best player averaged 23.6 points per game on 47.3% shooting in 66 games played during the regular season. I think this series will go the distance with Boston winning in seven games and advancing to the NBA Finals.
