Celtics know what to expect in playoff game against Heat

The Celtics learned of their rematch of last year’s Eastern Conference finals against the Heat on Friday night, but Jaylen Brown said he had the idea long before the teams were destined to meet again.

Boston and Miami have met in three of the last four conference finals. The Celtics won in 2022 and the Heat won in 2020 and ’23. The Heat eliminated the Celtics in seven games last year.

On Sunday, the Celtics will host the Heat in the first game of a first-round series at TD Garden.

“I knew it would be Miami. I knew about it for a few weeks,” Brown said Saturday. “Comparing last year to this year, it just makes sense, so we’re looking forward to it.” This should be a big challenge. Miami is a tough team, well coached, they play hard and they are physical. All things we need to emphasize. So it should be fun.

Kristaps Porzingis will get its first taste of the playoff rivalry between the Celtics and Heat. Boston swept the regular season series 3-0, but the Heat cannot be taken lightly because of their style of play, according to Porzingis.

“We have to expect them to be ultra-aggressive,” he said. “Ultra-handy and trying to do every little dirty thing possible. Not dirty things, but messing up the game a little to get advantages. And yes, we have to be ready for that. It will be a war. »

Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla praised the Heat for their physicality, versatility and willingness to mix up defensive coverages. Mazzulla said this series will test the Celtics’ ability to win in a variety of ways, as well as their endurance.

“I think both teams are willing to do whatever it takes to win this particular game,” Mazzulla said. “The sub-models will always be different, but ultimately I think the most important thing to remember is the margins. These adjustments are more important than any other adjustment. I know it’s a word that comes up a lot, but it’s not as important as physicality and strength. Margins are the most important thing and we must be prepared to earn them.

Absence of the butler

The Heat will be without a striker Jimmy Butlerwho will miss at least the first game with an MCL injury and is expected to be out for several weeks.

Butler averaged 24.7 points, 7.6 rebounds and 6.1 assists in last year’s Conference Finals. He scored 35 points and grabbed nine rebounds in the series-clinching victory at TD Garden.

“They obviously play a little more shooting, so they have different identities that they can address,” Mazzulla said. “And every time someone is out, other guys take on the responsibility of playing. Their DNA is therefore always the same. The teams may look a little different, but the DNA is the same.

It’s time to cool off

As the Heat navigated the Play-In tournament, the Celtics had a week to prepare.

The Celtics earned their rest by posting the best record in the NBA during the regular season. Mazzulla said he plans to leave those results in the past.

“Right now, everyone is 0-0, so in my mind, standings don’t matter, regular season doesn’t matter, what matters is how which we address it,” Mazzulla said. “It started with the way we practiced this week. All we can control is how much time we have, and I think the guys have done a great job of fine-tuning all the details, the execution, things on both sides of the ball.

Porzingis said he likes to have some down time between practices.

“It was a good week. We had time to disconnect. We went to the (Red Sox) game as a team,” he said. “I had some free time to play basketball just to refresh the body and mind. Then we just waited for our opponent and worked to continue to improve as a team.

Brown said he’s looking forward to facing the Heat with a fresh start.

“You don’t forget, but you do your best to live in the moment,” he said. “You learn from those experiences and you can’t take those thoughts into them. You have a new team, you have new players, I’m a new player, so come and stay in the moment and take it one day at a time.