Boston Celtics vs Miami Heat
The first major playoff meeting between the Celtics and Heat was the 2011 Eastern Conference Semifinals, won by Miami in five games.
The Boston Celtics and Miami Heat first met in the playoffs during the 2011 Eastern Conference Semifinals, where the Heat defeated the Celtics in five games.
Quick Facts
- First major playoff meeting
- 2012 Eastern Conference Finals
- Defining era
- Late 2000s to Mid-2010s
- Key celtics figures
- Paul Pierce
- Kevin Garnett
- Ray Allen
- Rajon Rondo
- Key heat figures
- LeBron James
- Dwyane Wade
- Chris Bosh
- Pat Riley
- Total playoff meetings
- Multiple series from 2012 to 2024
Lore & Background
In the 2010–11 season, the Celtics entered the playoffs as the 3rd seed with a 56–26 record. After sweeping the New York Knicks in the first round, they faced the Miami Heat in the conference semifinals. The Heat had added LeBron James and Chris Bosh to join Dwyane Wade after the Celtics had defeated them in five games in the previous season's first round. The new-look Heat won the series in five games, knocking Boston out of the playoffs.
Reader's Guide
The Celtics' 2010–11 season included a 41–14 start and a top spot in the Eastern Conference at the All-Star break, but after trading Kendrick Perkins mid-season, they won only 15 of their final 27 games. They finished 56–26 and were the 3rd seed. In the playoffs, they swept the Knicks in the first round before losing to the Heat in five games in the conference semifinals.
Did You Know?
- The Celtics swept the New York Knicks in the first round of the 2011 playoffs.
- Shaquille O'Neal retired after the 2010–11 season, having played 19 seasons in the league.
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