For the third time this season, the Miami Heat find themselves in an extended waiting game.
At the start of the playoffs, it was a wait before the Atlanta Hawks emerged as the first-round opponents from the play-in rounds.
Before the second round, Eric Spoelstra’s team had to wait until the Philadelphia 76ers emerged from their series against the Toronto Raptors.
This time again it will be televised time to determine whether the Heat will face the Boston Celtics or the Milwaukee Bucks in the Eastern Conference Finals with Game 7 on Sunday at 3:30 p.m. at TD Garden.
So as the Heat await their opponent at 8:30 p.m. Tuesday for the start of the East Finals at the FTX Arena, the Sun Sentinel again asked a seasoned NBA scout to move on to possible scenarios.
Q: If you were the Heat and could pick, would the preference be the Bucks or the Celtics?
Scout: “I’ll be pulling for Milwaukee, because Khris Middleton is dealing with that knee injury, and his availability is huge. I don’t think the rest of his team really scares me. You have guys who are more or less jure holiday Yes, none match with Giannis [Antetokounmpo]But if any team can plan, it’s Miami. If you can come up with plans for Joel Embiid, you can come up with plans for Giannis. And I think other people, they don’t have enough. ,
Q: So if you look at Milwaukee as the preferred opponent for the Heat, what tough choice do you consider Boston?
Scout: “Because I think his depth is better. Robert Williams will matter to some degree, I think [as he deals with a knee issue], But they have done well without him. That streak should be over by now, as they have three other centres. Grant Williams is excellent. Daniel Theis is serviceable. And Al Horford has played with his mind. Jason Tatum is now a superstar, it seems, or is close to him. And Jaylen Brown gives them one versus two boys for Milwaukee. And Marcus Smart whoever can protect, Jimmy Butler can protect, Tyler can protect Harrow. He has great defensive versatility. ,
Q: The outcome of a playoff series is often determined by a superstar’s game. Has the Heat’s Jimmy Butler raised his game to the level of Giannis or even Tatum after this season?
Scout: “I think Jimmy has moved on, I agree. His focus, his desire, has reached another level. So I wouldn’t have said that before, but Giannis, Tatum, Jimmy, it’s kind of a wash. It’s a three-way wash with what Jimmy has done recently. So it’s hard to say who’s going to be the guy. Now, who’s going to be the best player, it’s hard to say until you see “
Question: So if that’s a wash, then what?
Scout: “It could be the number-two guys. Maybe it’s not [Boston’s] Jaylen Brown. It could be Tyler Hero. where is [Herro] Went? Is he still in the league? If they want to win the championship, it is better that they emerge here again. And [Milwaukee’s] Jew Holiday, you’re asking him to be more of a Middleton, scorer than he wants to be.
Q: So let’s look at the scenarios: Heat vs Bucks, how will it play out?
Scout: “Milwaukee is going to give you three. Max Strauss, Duncan Robinson, Jimmy Butler, if Kyle Lowry plays, Tyler Harrow, he’s going to get his fair share.
Q: Heat vs Celtics, how will it play out?
Scout: “It’s going to be a defensive series. It’s going to be a mind of every possession. Because both teams are wired like this. They have this kind of ability. It will be on the low-scoring side. This is going to be a trench war. ,
Q: Okay, predictions, in your view: Heat vs. Rs.?
Scout: “Tapis. I’d say six. I can’t see Milwaukee winning four games against them.”
Q: Heat vs Celtics?
Scout: “Seven match series. I’m going to Boston. They were the best team from midseason on. They’ve shown great stamina. It’s going to be one hell of a series.”
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