The Boston Celtics have Kemba Walker
It’s been years since the Miami Heat has had a true point guard-stopper. They’ve struggled mightily in that department, dating back to their last playoff run in 2016 when Kemba Walker (who was with the Hornets at the time) and Kyle Lowry burned this team in back-to-back series.
Miami still has that same issue today. Goran Dragic nor Kendrick Nunn will be able to check Kemba and he could emerge as the key to this series. Miami might have the defenders to check Tatum, Brown, and possibly even Smart, but aside from sticking Jimmy Butler on Kemba, the team doesn’t really have anyone defender that will be able to check him on a consistent basis.
Even though Kemba is coming off a rough finish in their series against the Raptors, he won’t be getting defended by Fred VanVleet or Kyle Lowry anymore. Instead, he’ll have a much favorable matchup against Dragic and possibly even Duncan Robinson.
If the Celtics beat the Heat, it could very well be because of a breakout series from Kemba Walker.