Boston Celtics vs Miami Heat Prediction & Match Preview - May 21st, 2023

The Boston Celtics have done a horrible job over the past two games. They hosted the Miami Heat twice, yet they went down to a 0-2 hole. To advance to the NBA Finals, they will have to win four of their next five games, which may be impossible.

Boston's comeback mission starts on Sunday night in Miami. This is the first game of the series played in South Beach, where the Heat have a perfect 5-0 record this postseason.

While Miami has a big advantage, the series is far from over. The Boston Celtics are still one of the most dangerous teams in the league, which is why we shouldn't count them out just yet.

The Boston Celtics will have to win Game 3 against the Miami Heat

Only nine teams in NBA history have managed to come back from being down 0-2 and win the championship. Out of these teams, only the 1994 Houston Rockets were able to achieve this after losing the first two games at home.

Interestingly, the Boston Celtics know what it takes to come back after being down 0-2 at home. They did this in the first round against Jimmy Butler and the Chicago Bulls. However, they'll have to do it again in 2023.

The Celtics trailed 0-2 in 2017, but managed to beat Jimmy Butler (Image via Getty Images)

The Miami Heat will be without Tyler Herro and Victor Oladipo for Game 3 of the 2023 Eastern Conference Finals. The Celtics, on the other hand, will miss Danilo Gallinari, who hasn't played a single minute for the team this season.

You may be interested in reading: Celtics vs Heat injury report: Lineup for Game 3 Eastern Conference Finals (May 21, 2023)

The Heat and Celtics played each other four times during the regular season, splitting the series. The Celtics even beat the Heat in Miami early in the season, 111-104.

When it comes to playoff matchups, these two teams have met six times in the postseason. Miami is 3-2 in these series and has a good chance to go up 4-2 this year.

The Celtics will have to beat Jimmy Butler again (Image via Getty Images)

The comeback quest for the Boston Celtics will begin at 8:30 PM Eastern Time on Sunday. This will be their first game in Miami since Jan. 24, when they lost by only three points.

Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals will be broadcast on TNT, but basketball fans can also watch it on the NBA League Pass.

You may be interested in reading: "There’s no way they thought that was the answer"- Jimmy Butler mocks the Celtics as he leaves the court after taking 2-0 lead

While the history is not on the Celtics' side, stopping Jimmy Butler will be the key for them on Sunday. The Heat superstar has averaged 31.0 points, 6.5 rebounds, 6.5 assists, and 4.5 steals per game so far in the series.

Score prediction: Boston Celtics 109 - 115 Miami Heat