The Miami Heat are currently fighting hard to make their way into the postseason.
After Thursday night’s big win over the Philadelphia 76ers, the Heat are seventh in their conference with a 48-37 record.
There is a good chance they could claim that seed and face the Boston Celtics in the opening round of the playoffs when they begin next weekend.
NBA analyst Kendrick Perkins thinks that could be bad news for the Celtics.
“If I’m the Celtics, I’m praying that I don’t see playoff Jimmy Butler and the Miami Heat in the first round,” Perkins said on Friday’s edition of “First Take”.
“If I’m the Celtics, I’m praying that I don’t see playoff Jimmy Butler and the Miami Heat in the first round. … It would be upset alert … I’m telling you this right now.”
—@KendrickPerkins pic.twitter.com/u8rlU11Q1p
— First Take (@FirstTake) April 7, 2023
Fans of the Heat and the Celtics came out to support their teams on Friday, either supporting or blasting Perkins’ comments on social media.
“Yeah Tatum Brown White and Brogdon are shaking in their boots at the idea of being matched up with Stuss and Herro defensively,” one fan joked.
Yeah Tatum Brown White and Brogdon are shaking in their boots at the idea of being matched up with Struss and Herro defensively.
— Nathaniel Smith® (@nateVsmith) April 7, 2023
Nah the heat are average this year. Butler is for real but Tatum is better and the Celtics have more depth
— Matthew Akhigbe 🏆 (@mattakhide) April 7, 2023
Some fans didn’t think that Perkins’ prediction was too far off.
“A series against the Heat would be problematic for the Cs in that they have been really turnover prone against the Heat,” one fan said.
“Would make for an ugly series,” they added.
A series against the Heat would be problematic for the Cs in that they have been really turnover prone against the Heat. Would make for an ugly series
— Byron Solomon (@BSolomonsHood) April 7, 2023
One fan, a loyal Philadelphia 76ers follower, thought that Perkins had a point.
Butler is a beast in the playoffs! I don’t want the Sixers to have to play the Heat this year
— Jim Kryjer (@jimkryjer) April 7, 2023
There are many predictions about multiple teams floating around right now and all are open for debate.
What isn’t open for debate is the fact that the Heat have seemed more focused and competitive lately.
That could definitely create a few headaches for the Celtics.
But the Celtics have a good chance of overtaking the Heat again.
NEXT: NBA Analyst Says The Celtics Need To Avoid 1 Team In The First Round
