Miami Heat Stun Celtics in Boston Blowout — Is a Playoff Rematch Coming? • Over Here Miami

Just weeks ago, the Miami Heat looked like a team in free fall. Following the trade of Jimmy Butler to the Golden State Warriors, they dropped ten straight games and fell out of serious playoff conversation. Now, behind Erik Spoelstra’s steady hand and a revamped roster, the Heat are suddenly heating up — and may once again cross paths with their fiercest postseason rival, the Boston Celtics.

Stunning Win in Boston Extends Heat Streak

The Heat walked into TD Garden on a five-game winning streak and stunned the East-leading Celtics with a 124–103 victory. At one point, Miami led by 22. Boston attempted a second-half comeback, but Miami held firm, extending their win streak to six.

The win moved Miami to the No. 9 spot in the East, just 1.5 games behind Orlando and Atlanta, who currently hold the 7 and 8 seeds. With head-to-head matchups still remaining between the Magic and Hawks, and Miami owning a favorable remaining schedule, the door is wide open for the Heat to slide into a key play-in position.

Soft Schedule Ahead Favors Miami

Miami’s final six games give them a clear runway:

Four games are against sub-.500 teams
Three of those are against tanking squads (Philadelphia, New Orleans, Washington)
The Heat also hold a potential tiebreaker over the Hawks via division record

With the standings still tight and movement likely, a 7 vs. 8 play-in game is well within reach — and that game determines Boston’s first-round opponent.

Renewing the NBA’s Top Playoff Rivalry?

The Celtics and Heat have faced off in four of the last five postseasons, building a rivalry that has defined the Eastern Conference for much of the past decade. Here’s how the series have gone:

2020 East Finals – Heat win
2021 – No matchup (Boston lost to Brooklyn)
2022 East Finals – Celtics win
2023 East Finals – Heat wi
2024 First Round – Celtics

That’s two series wins each over the last four meetings. The possibility of a fifth matchup in six years adds drama to an otherwise lopsided first-round scenario.

Spoelstra Praises Celtics Core

Despite the playoff battles, there’s mutual respect — especially between Erik Spoelstra and several Boston stars. The Heat coach worked with Jayson Tatum, Derrick White, and Jrue Holiday on Team USA last summer and admitted it wasn’t easy to root for them.

“I hated myself for actually liking them,” Spoelstra said. “And then admitting it, I hated myself even more. Just quality human beings. Great competitors.”

Can Spoelstra Shake Up the East Again?

While the Celtics would enter a potential matchup as clear favorites, Spoelstra has consistently found ways to challenge Boston in the postseason. With a new roster and momentum on their side, the Heat may be peaking at just the right time.

If Miami does slide into the 7 or 8 seed, the Celtics might face their old foe earlier than expected — and what could have been a routine first-round series would instantly become must-watch basketball.

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Miami Heat Stun Celtics in Boston Blowout — Is a Playoff Rematch Coming?