As the 2024 NBA playoffs begin, the Boston Celtics will have a chance to avenge last year’s Eastern Conference Finals loss right away. With the result of Friday night’s play-in tournament finale, the Celtics will take on the Miami Heat in the first round.
This will be the third year in a row the Celtics and Heat meet in the NBA playoffs, and fourth time in the last five seasons. The Heat have won two of the last three head-to-head series, and four of six overall.
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That includes last year, when the two teams faced off in the Eastern Conference Finals. Heading into that series, the Celtics were the No. 2 seed in the East while the Heat were No. 8, coming out of the play-in tournament. After Miami won the first three games the Celtics came storming back to force a Game 7. However, Jayson Tatum rolled his ankle early in that game and the Heat went on to win, preventing the Celtics from making back-to-back NBA Finals appearances.
This year, the Celtics come in as the No. 1 seed in the East, having finished the regular season with a 14 game lead in the conference. The Heat are the eighth seed, after losing the first play-in game to the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday before beating the Chicago Bulls Friday night.
During the regular season, the Celtics swept the Heat in three games. Their most recent matchup was on February 11 – a 110-106 win in Miami.
In these playoff matchups, the Celtics won’t have to deal with Heat star Jimmy Butler. Butler suffered an MCL injury in the Wednesday night play-in game and is expected to miss “several weeks.” Former Celtic Terry Rozier, who the Heat acquired at the trade deadline this year, is also dealing with a neck injury.
Here’s a look back at the previous six playoff series between the Celtics and Heat…
2023 Eastern Conference Finals
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – MAY 29: Caleb Martin #16 of the Miami Heat shoots the ball during the third quarter against the Boston Celtics in game seven of the Eastern Conference Finals at TD Garden on May 29, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
After falling behind three games to none, the Celtics stormed back to force a Game 7. That run included a dramatic win in Game 6 as Derrick White tipped in a rebound for the game-winning shot. However, the Heat came into TD Garden and won the final game of the series.
2022 Eastern Conference Finals
MIAMI, FLORIDA – MAY 19: Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat defends Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics in Game Two of the 2022 NBA Playoffs Eastern Conference Finals at FTX Arena on May 19, 2022 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
In 2022, it was the Celtics that went on the road and won a Game 7. Jimmy Butler missed a potential game-winning three with seconds to go in that one, sending the C’s to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2010.
2020 Eastern Conference Finals
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA – SEPTEMBER 25: Tyler Herro #14 of the Miami Heat defends Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics during the first quarter against the Boston Celtics in Game Five of the Eastern Conference Finals during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on September 25, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
The Celtics and Heat also met in the ‘Bubble Season’ Eastern Conference Finals at Disney World. Miami won the first two games of the series, went up 3-1, then won the series in six games.
2012 Eastern Conference Finals
BOSTON, MA – JUNE 07: LeBron James #6 of the Miami Heat gestures against Keyon Dooling #51 of the Boston Celtics in Game Six of the Eastern Conference Finals in the 2012 NBA Playoffs on June 7, 2012 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)
While this series went seven games, the defining moment came in Game 6. During the ‘Big Three’ era in Miami, LeBron James came into TD Garden and scored 30 points in the first half, and 45 overall, to avoid elimination. It is viewed as one of the defining games in James’ career. Back in Miami, the Heat would win Game 7 on their way to an NBA title.
2011 Eastern Conference Semifinals
MIAMI, FL – MAY 11: Dwyane Wade #3 of the Miami Heat shoots over Glen Davis #11 of the Boston Celtics during Game Five of the Eastern Conference Semifinals of the 2011 NBA Playoffs at American Airlines Arena on May 11, 2011 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
This was LeBron James’ first playoff series with the Heat against the Celtics, which he called “personal.” Playing alongside Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh, the Heat knocked off the defending Eastern Conference Champion Celtics in five games.
2010 First Round
BOSTON – APRIL 17: Paul Pierce #34 of the Boston Celtics drives to the net as Dwyane Wade #3 and Dorell Wright #1 of the Miami Heat defend during Game One of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals of the 2010 NBA playoffs at the TD Garden on April 17, 2010 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
The first ever playoff meeting between the Celtics and Heat didn’t come until 2010. It was a near sweep for the Celtics, who won the first three games before eventually taking the series in five on their way to an Eastern Conference title.
