Preview on Eastern Conference Finals: Boston Celtics vs. Miami Heat
Li Xiang
Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics defends Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat in the game at the TD Center in Boston, Massachusetts, December 4, 2019. /VCG

Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics defends Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat in the game at the TD Center in Boston, Massachusetts, December 4, 2019. /VCG

The Boston Rockets and the Miami Heat are about to meet in the Eastern Conference Finals that will begin on Saturday. Miami knocked out the regular season league leader Milwaukee Bucks 4-1 and Boston eliminated the defending champions Toronto Raptors in the previous series. What are their chances against each other?

Miami have great defense but it may not work too well against Boston

Miami's defense against Giannis Antetokounmpo in the East Semifinals against the Milwaukee Bucks was impressive. Jae Crowder's tussling, Bam Adebayo's help defense plus the whole team's rotating and trapping together made the perfect cage for the "Greek Freak."

Kemba Walker #8 and Marcus Smart of the Boston Celtics in the game against the Detroit Pistons at the TD Garden, January 15, 2020. /VCG

Kemba Walker #8 and Marcus Smart of the Boston Celtics in the game against the Detroit Pistons at the TD Garden, January 15, 2020. /VCG

However, it may not necessarily work on Boston. Despite Milwaukee's 56-17 record in the regular season, they did not have a qualified backup playmaker when Antetokounmpo was limited. That's not the story of Boston. Kemba Walker is the team's first choice for screen play, and he can punish defense via pull-up shooting around screen. Marcus Smart has a heavily underestimated court vision, and he's a good passer able to find the big man rolling in. Jayson Tatum is Boston's first isolation choice, but his height is very helpful when he needs to find a teammate in a better position.

Moreover, Miami's defensive efficiency was built on a smart combination of closing in and switching. Boston have never been obsessed with charging the paint. Instead, both Walker and Tatum can score efficiently with middle-range jumpers, and they don't need to post up too much to launch an individual attack. Walker's speed and Tatum's big stride are both very useful weapons against Miami's defense.

Jayson Tatum #0 and Jaylen Brown of the Boston Celtics in Game 2 of the NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Toronto Raptors at the Field House in Orlando, Florida, September 1, 2020. /VCG

Jayson Tatum #0 and Jaylen Brown of the Boston Celtics in Game 2 of the NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Toronto Raptors at the Field House in Orlando, Florida, September 1, 2020. /VCG

The other defensive concern for Miami is that their defense relies on teamwork to hide weaknesses, namely Goran Dragic, Duncan Robinson and Tyler Herro. Unfortunately, all three played important roles in Miami's offensive system. So, no matter how coach Erik Spoelstra adjusts his rotation, he cannot hide all of them from Walker, Tatum, Smart and Jaylen Brown.

Miami lack a big man for Boston focus on

Boston's previous two opponents, the Philadelphia 76ers and Toronto, both had big centers – Joel Embiid, Marc Gasol and Serge Ibaka – for Walker to come after. When Walker called screen, these big men either chose to switch to defend Walker, leaving the paint open, or they remained under the rim and prayed that Walker would miss.

Bam Adebayo #13 of the Miami Heat blocks a shot by Khris Middleton #22 of the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 4 of the NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals at the AdventHealth Arena in Orlando, Florida, September 6, 2020. /VCG

Bam Adebayo #13 of the Miami Heat blocks a shot by Khris Middleton #22 of the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 4 of the NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals at the AdventHealth Arena in Orlando, Florida, September 6, 2020. /VCG

Miami do not have that concern as their starting center Adebayo is fast enough to switch to anyone in screen plays. Of course, since he usually takes a high-post position for his orchestrating role, Adebayo should not cause too much trouble for Daniel Theis, who is also a mini-size center.

One feature of Miami's defense may upset Boston. Jimmy Butler, Jae Crowder and Kendrick Nunn are all good at fighting through screens and are in good shape to switch from 1 to 4. Boston's offense contains a huge number of screens, passing and cuts. Miami can slow interrupt them and turn the game into isolation contests.

Gordon Hayward of the Boston Celtics does dribble practice before Game 7 of the NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Toronto Raptors at the AdventHealth Arena, September 11, 2020. /VCG

Gordon Hayward of the Boston Celtics does dribble practice before Game 7 of the NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Toronto Raptors at the AdventHealth Arena, September 11, 2020. /VCG

Will Gordon Hayward prop up Boston's bench offense?

Boston's bench squad have been one of the team's major flaws for the whole season. In the last two games against Toronto, coach Brad Stevens had to cut bench squads time hugely so they won't waste the lead established by the starting lineup. Miami, though, do not have any incredible scorer like Norman Powell on their bench, they have multiple good offensive choices that will give Boston a headache. For example, Kelly Olynyk is quite a 3-point shooter, and Boston's backup center Robert Williams III is not experienced enough to defend him.

The good news for Boston is that Gordon Hayward, who has been absent for weeks, is returning from injury. His complete skills should enable him to play as a bench commander. The only problem is how long it will take for him to find his game back.