The last time the Miami Heat were in Beantown, they were blowing out the Boston Celtics in Game 7 on their way to an NBA Finals appearance. Can the new-look Celtics get revenge?

Catch the game tomorrow, October 28th, at 7:30 AM, Manila time.

HOME: Boston Celtics (1-0)

Projected starting five:

  • Jrue Holiday
  • Derrick White
  • Jaylen Brown
  • Jayson Tatum
  • Kristaps Porzingis

The Celtics opened the season with a thrilling, 108-104 road win over the New York Knicks. All-Star Jayson Tatum scored a game-high 34 points, including 26 in the first half, but it was former Knick Kristaps Porzingis who arguably shined better. He tallied 30 points and eight boards, while also swatting four shots, and treated the bitter NYC crowd into a fustrating night. His 30-piece was the most points scored by a debuting Celtic in history.

Tatum and Porzingis’ solid outing helped cover Jaylen Brown being non-existent, who was 4-for-11 for 11 points, albeit adding six rebounds and five assists. Brown should look to be more productive tomorrow, especially since he had a bunch of turnovers in the East finals against the Heat, and should look at this as a good time to redeem himself.

Boston’s defense was on display in its opener as the group held Knick stars Julius Randle and Jalen Brunson into a woeful 11-for-43 shooting. However, it could be concerning as the win as only by four points despite all that. We’ll see how the team carries that defensive momentum in South Beach.

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AWAY: Miami Heat (1-0)

Projected starting five:

  • Kyle Lowry
  • Tyler Herro
  • Jimmy Butler
  • Kevin Love
  • Bam Adebayo

The Heat also won in their season-opener, sneaking past the young Detroit Pistons, 103-102. They survived the rough shooting of Jimmy Butler and Tyler Herro, who collectively shot 13-for-42 (it did help that the two combined for five steals). Bam Adebayo led the way with 22 points, eight rebounds, and a pair of blocks.

All-Stars Butler and Adebayo are sure to be the focal point and flex their muscles on Boston yet again, as well as Massachusetts’ own Duncan Robinson – he too contributed well in that Game 7 blowout last May. Herro, however, may be the hungriest out of all of them, as he missed almost all of the 2023 playoffs with an injury and was in trade rumors all off-season long. He’s a fiery player that’ll be laser-focused at showing up the doubters.

Still, do know that offense could once again prove to be the Heat’s suspect area (30th in scoring last season), especially this year, when they lost a bunch of guys they developed and are back to having project players from the undrafted pool.

PREDICTION:

Handicap: The Celtics (-8) barely miss at covering the spread.

Over/Under: The total goes under 217.

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