NBA – Boston Celtics and Miami Heat in squad comparison: is Daniel Theis up to his biggest challenge so far?-
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In the Eastern Conference Finals, the Boston Celtics will meet the Miami Heat (Game 1 on Wednesday night at 0.30 a.m. live on DAZN). We compare the teams in a squad comparison. Who has the better cards? We’ll tell you!
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First, let’s take a look at the Boston Celtics. After a relaxed sweep in round one against the Sixers, Boston left a lot of grains in the seven games against the Raptors. Brad Stevens has cut his rotation to nine players.
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POINT GUARD: Kemba Walker – Playoff Stats 2019/20: 37.5 minutes, 19.6 points, 5.3 assists, 4.1 rebounds and 1.1 steals at 45.1 percent from the field and 28.4 percent from the triple line (11 games).
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The former Hornets star is playing his first playoffs and, like the whole season, experiences constant ups and downs. In games 6 and 7 against the Raptors, he remained pale, the threesome does not come. Also vulnerable defensively. Can it improve?
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SHOOTING GUARD: Marcus Smart – Playoff Stats 2019/20: 38.0 minutes, 13.1 points, 4.2 assists, 5.0 rebounds and 1.3 steals at 39.5 percent from the field and 34.2 percent from the triple line (11 games).
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The numbers never stand out, but Smart is the heart and soul of the Celtics team. He can defend all positions and also lead the second unit. With his block in Game 7, he again proved his indispensability.
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SMALL FORWARD: Jaylen Brown – Playoff Stats 2019/20: 38.7 minutes, 21.0 points, 7.6 rebounds and 1.5 steals at 43.4 percent from the field and 30.2 percent from the triple line (11 games ).
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Along with Walker and Tatum, Brown is the team’s third (offensive) star. Doesn’t shy away from any important throw and can defend several positions with his athleticism on the other hand. Made a big jump to the last playoffs.
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POWER FORWARD: Jayson Tatum – Playoff Stats 2019/20: 39.8 minutes, 25.3 points, 10.1 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 0.8 steals and 1.2 blocks at 44.7 percent from the field and 41.9 percent from the triple line (11 games).
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Tatum was fully deserved to be an All-Star for the first time, he is the best two-way player and legitimate superstar of the Celtics. Has increased his stats significantly in the playoffs and also tears off most of the minutes. Success falls and stands with him.
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CENTER: Daniel Theis – Playoff Stats 2019/20: 27.6 minutes, 9.5 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.5 blocks at 49.4 percent from the field and 18.2 percent from the triple line (11 games) .
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The German is one of the team’s most important defenders and will face tough duels with Bam Adebayo under the basket. On the offensive, the heat on the perimeter will often leave him standing, his threesome doesn’t want to fall in the playoffs at all.
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BANK: Brad Wanamaker (PG) – Playoff Stats 2019/20: 17.0 minutes, 5.3 points, 1.5 assists and 0.5 steals at 44.7 percent from the field and 47.6 percent from the triple line ( 11 games).
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The ex-Bamberg is solid and makes few mistakes. What is missing is the explosiveness in the attack, but at least it can relieve the guards here and there. Will not see many minutes, but can always set accents with his good threesome.
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Semi Ojeleye (SF / PF) – Playoff Stats 2019/20: 10.9 minutes, 1.9 points and 1.0 rebounds at 25 percent from the field and 23.8 percent from the triple line (10 games).
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Defend hard and hit a threesome every now and then – that’s Ojeleye’s role, he knows that. Due to his inconsistent throw he saw little playing time recently. Will not play a big role against the Heat.
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Grant Williams (PF / C) – Playoff Stats 2019/20: 10.9 minutes, 3.5 points, 1.6 rebounds at 63.2 percent from the field and 66.7 percent from the triple line (11 games).
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Williams is not a classic rookie. Defensively, he helps the Celtics enormously, and he always plays as a small fiver, which should also guarantee him against the heat minutes. His threesome is also falling steadily.
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Robert Williams (PF / C) – Playoff Stats 2019/20: 12.2 minutes, 4.0 points, 4.1 rebounds and 0.5 blocks at 76 percent out of the field (11 games).
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The Timelord is the best Celtics athlete on the five and so gives the Celts another component. Will see minutes against the Heat for lack of alternatives and should push Adebayo around properly. Expect some crashing dunks from him.
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Gordon Hayward (SF, injured in the playoff game against the Sixers, since then without action) – Stats 2019/20: 33.3 minutes, 17.6 points, 6.7 rebounds and 4.1 assists at 51.1 percent the field and 39.5 percent from the three-point line (38 games).
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Hayward could become the X-Factor of the Celtics. Scratched a 50-40-90 season and is the Celtics’ best playmaker on the wing. If he gets fit, Boston has another very important weapon in him. When he will join the series is completely open.
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We come to the heat, which after the sweep against Indiana also played a dominant series against east leaders Milwaukee. Who could make the difference against the Celtics?
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POINT GUARD: Goran Dragic – Playoff Stats 2019/20: 34.7 minutes, 21.1 points, 4.7 assists, 4.4 rebounds and 1.2 steals at 45.8 percent from the field and 38.1 percent from the triple line (9 games).
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The Slovenian has played very strong playoffs so far. He was able to significantly increase his production from the regular season and was often the first option of the heat in crunchtime. Against Boston, how he does on defense will be important.
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SHOOTING GUARD: Duncan Robinson – Playoff Stats 2019/20: 26.3 minutes, 10.6 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.4 assists at 43.5 percent from the field and 39.3 percent from the triple line (9 games ).
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Miami is dependent on one or the other scoring explosion from Robinson, who scored just above the team average from a distance in the playoffs. The strong defense of the Celtics will make his life hell.
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SMALL FORWARD: Jimmy Butler – Playoff Stats 2019/20: 35.3 minutes, 21.8 points, 5.6 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 2.1 steals at 47.7 percent from the field and 50 percent from the triple line (9 games).
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Is (just) the top scorer of his team, but influences the game on numerous levels. Only takes an average of 2 threes, but draws almost 11 free throws and hits a high percentage in the zone. THE Heat leader.
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POWER FORWARD: Jae Crowder – Playoff Stats 2019/20: 30 minutes, 12.8 points, 6.2 rebounds and 1.9 assists at 42.2 percent from the field and 40 percent from the triple line (9 games).
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Crowder is the positive surprise in the playoffs. As usual, a plague in defense (which will be more important than ever against Tatum), he hits 40 percent of his 8.3 three-way attempts per game. Can the ex-maverick keep this value?
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CENTER: Bam Adebayo – Playoff Stats 2019/20: 35.3 minutes, 16.2 points, 11.7 rebounds and 4.8 assists at 54.1 percent out of the field (9 games).
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Adebayo’s performance could give the Heat a decisive advantage. Against the ultra-variable and ultimately outstanding Big Man, Theis and. Co. have their hands full, there is no adequate opponent.
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BANK: Tyler Herro (SG) – Playoff Stats 2019/20: 32.3 minutes, 14.7 points, 4.9 rebounds and 3.3 assists at 41.3 percent from the field and 40 percent from the triple line (9 games ).
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By far the most important reservist of the Heat, unlike Robinson, is also valuable as a secondary ball handler to relieve Dragic and Butler. It will be interesting to see how he fights defensively against Boston’s numerous weapons.
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Andre Iguodala (SG) – Playoff Stats 2019/20: 20.9 minutes, 4.1 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.4 assists at 50 percent from the field and 29.4 percent from the triple line (9 games).
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After almost 27 minutes against the Pacers, the veteran only played 16.2 minutes against the Bucks. In the attack Iggy is not a factor at all, can his (supposedly still) elitist defense still help the heat?
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Kendrick Nunn (SG) – Playoff Stats 2019/20: 13.5 minutes, 4.3 points, 1.3 rebounds and 1.0 assists at 33.3 percent from the field and 13.3 percent from the triple line (6 games ).
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Missed much of the Pacers series, his influence against Milwaukee was small. Would give the heat a huge push if it could approach its three-way quota to the 35 percent from the regular season (15.3 points).
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Kelly Olynyk (PF) – Playoff Stats 2019/20: 13.1 minutes, 6.9 points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.3 assists at 55.6 percent from the field and 36.4 percent from the triple line (8 games ).
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The center backup cannot keep up with the athleticism of an Adebayo, but it plays absolutely decent playoffs. If he continues to hit the three with a high percentage, rooms open up for walkers, smart and co. In the zone.
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Derrick Jones Jr. (SF) – Playoff Stats 2019/20: 8.0 minutes, 2.4 points, 0.9 rebounds and 0.9 assists at 60 percent from the field and 50 percent from the triple line (7 games).
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The exceptional dunker has only been used sporadically in the playoffs – this will not change against Boston either. His throw is too shaky, he is not reliable enough in defense. Can bring energy from the bank for a short time.
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CONCLUSION: The series should be highly competitive. What the Celtics are ahead of the Heat in terms of talent, the South Beach team makes up for in the experience of their veterans and their dedication.
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In addition to the superstars Tatum and Butler, the focus is on the co-stars Walker and Adebayo. You might end up making the rash, just like the still-injured Hayward. Theis will also play a crucial role. SPOX forecast: Celtics in 6!
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Boston Celtics: Smart and Brown probably clashed
Shams Charania by The Athletic had previously reported that Smart and Brown had clashed in the locker room and had to be separated by teammates. Smart is said to have demanded that other players besides himself should be made responsible for the renewed defeat.
Brown is reported to have told Smart that he should calm down and that the Celtics “need to stay together and act as a team, not individually”. Objects then flew through the cabin, but there were no physical riots.
Celtics vs. Heat: The Eastern Conference Finals at a glance
game
date
Home
Away
Result / transfer
1
16.9
Boston
Miami
114: 117 OT
2
18.9
Boston
Miami
101:106
3
8.9 / 2.30 a.m.
Miami
Boston
DAZN
4
24.9 / 2.30 a.m.
Miami
Boston
DAZN
5*
26.9 / 2.30 a.m.
Boston
Miami
DAZN
6*
28.9 / 1.30 a.m.
Miami
Boston
DAZN
7*
tbd
Boston
Miami
DAZN
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