NBA: One team every playoff favorite should want to avoid in the first round

Cleveland Cavaliers Dwane Casey (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
Cleveland Cavaliers Dwane Casey (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
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BOSTON, MA – DECEMBER 20: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Boston Celtics attempts a last second shot against the Miami Heat during the fourth quarter at TD Garden on December 20, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Heat defeat the Celtics 90-89. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – DECEMBER 20: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Boston Celtics attempts a last second shot against the Miami Heat during the fourth quarter at TD Garden on December 20, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Heat defeat the Celtics 90-89. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

Boston Celtics

Who they should want to avoid in the first round: Miami Heat

The Miami Heat are almost a complete mirror of the Boston Celtics – with the exception of one player, Kyrie Irving. Yes, I now Boston’s future is bright. But right now, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown aren’t the stars that many project them to be. Because of that, they’re closer to the Miami Heat than they are to the Golden State Warriors, no matter what argument you make.

And, to make things worse, this potential series would get even more interesting if Kyrie Irving isn’t 100 percent or if he doesn’t participate at all.

Kyrie just underwent a procedure on his ailing knee, and there’s really no indication either way. Regardless if Kyrie plays or not, a potential Celtics-Heat first round playoff series would be fascinating. Oh, and we didn’t even get to mention Brad Stevens vs. Erik Spoelstra, two of the three best coaches in the NBA squaring off.