The Miami Heat and Boston Celtics will square off on Thursday afternoon for Game 2 of their Eastern Conference Finals match-up.
Miami currently holds a 1-0 series advantage, after winning Game 1 117-114 in overtime.
ESPN recently developed a computer model that allows the Worldwide Leader in Sports to predict the outcome of games.
On Thursday, the model offered up a final projection of how Game 2 would go.
According to the model, Boston has a 58.7 percent chance of emerging from this one victorious.
That is roughly in line with how odds makers envision things heading into the outing, with the Celtics being listed as 2.5-point favorites in most books.
If Game 1 was any indication of things to come, Thursday night should be a barnburner.
It was Jimmy Butler who provided Miami with its game-winning three-point play late, but Bam Adebayo is the man who left the most lasting impression.
As Jayson Tatum attempted to deliver some last second-second heroics and close a two-point deficit, Adebayo blocked his shot in memorable fashion.
Shortly after the game, Magic Johnson tweeted that Adebayo’s block was the best defensive play he had ever seen in the postseason.
Butler agreed with his assessment.
“I would agree with Magic,” he said.
“I really would. I think what Bam did to save that game and to make sure that we win it by putting his body on the line, that really is a really great play.”
Adebayo admitted that the play was likely the best of his career so far.
“Number one,” he answered when asked where it ranked.
“Playoffs, game on the line, number one play.”
Boston, meanwhile, will need to do its best to rebound quickly from Game 1.
Yikes Baker Mayfield. https://t.co/KPBYD8P3BO
— Game 7 (@game7__) September 17, 2020
Priority one for the Celtics will be to get Kemba Walker going. The team’s star guard finished with 19 points on 19 shots, ultimately going 1 of 9 from beyond the arc.
“I’m just playing terrible, to be honest,” he said after the game.
“Not much I can say, but I have to be better. I have to do better for this team on both ends of the floor. I have to make better decisions. I just have to make shots overall.”
Bill Belichick’s pick for best player in the NFL is in. https://t.co/HDSU6Q5fH4
— Game 7 (@game7__) September 17, 2020
While Miami trapping Walker and implementing the zone definitely slowed the Celtics down offensively, defense was also a big problem in Game 1. The Heat ultimately took 40 percent of their shots from beyond the arc on Tuesday – connecting on more than 44 percent of them. Brad Stevens needs to remedy that.
Fortunately, Boston has generally come out pretty strong in Game 2s under Stevens.
This is going to be an important outing for all parties involved.
If the Celtics lose, suddenly this series begins to slip out of reach. Only 27 squads in league history have been able to overcome an 0-2 deficit at this stage.
Should Miami lose, then at 1-1 this becomes a pick-em series and all of Tuesday night’s heroics were for naught.
The Heat and Celtics will tip off at at 4:00 pm PT on ESPN.
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A graduate from the University of Texas, Anthony Amador has been credentialed to cover the Houston Texans, Dallas Cowboys, San Antonio Spurs, Dallas Mavericks and high school games all over the Lone Star State. Currently, his primary beats are the NBA, MLB, NFL and UFC.
