(Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
The top five teams in the NBA Eastern Conference playoffs have been decided.
After a busy and impressive season, the Boston Celtics have claimed the second spot in the conference and have secured their spot in the games that begin next weekend.
It is not entirely clear which team the Celtics will face off against in the opening round as the bottom half of the conference is still being decided.
But there is a good chance they will have to play the Miami Heat.
NBA analyst Kendrick Perkins thinks that could be trouble for Boston.
According to 5ReasonsSports, via NBACentral, Perkins said, “If I’m the Boston Celtics, I’m praying I don’t see Jimmy Butler in the first round. It would be an upset alert.”
“If I’m the Boston Celtics, I’m praying I don’t see Jimmy Butler in the first round… It would be upset alert.”
– Kendrick Perkins
(Via @5ReasonsSports ) pic.twitter.com/Jk5wQe8RrE
— NBACentral (@TheNBACentral) April 7, 2023
The Heat beat the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday night, 129-101, and have now won three games in a row.
They currently sit just one game behind the Brooklyn Nets for the number six seed in the East with two games to go.
Friday night will see the Heat take on the Washington Wizards, who they have a 2-1 advantage over so far this season.
If the Heat are able to climb up to the sixth spot, they will challenge the 76ers in the opening round.
But if they participate in the play-in games and make the seventh seed, they will go toe-to-toe against the Celtics.
The Heat are getting hot at the right time and they are now becoming a strong presence in the Eastern Conference.
They have a lot to prove, especially against the Celtics.
Last season, they fought hard to overtake Boston in the Eastern Conference Finals but were not able to get it done.
They are obviously intent on getting their revenge this year, perhaps in the opening round.
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