A rivalry will be renewed during the 2023 Eastern Conference Finals.
The Celtics and Heat are set to face off for the sixth time in the NBA Playoffs. They have previously met in three Conference Finals series, including a seven-game slugfest last year.
While nothing can compare to the intensity of Celtics vs. Lakers or the frequency of Celtics vs. 76ers, Boston and Miami have delivered some exciting battles in recent seasons.
MORE: Why 76ers fired Doc Rivers after playoff loss vs. Celtics
Celtics vs. Heat all-time record
The Celtics and Heat have played in 133 regular season games against each other. Boston has the upper hand with an 80-53 record against Miami.
However, the Heat hold the advantage through 30 playoff games. Miami is 16-14 in postseason matchups with Boston, and it has won three of the five series.
Celtics vs. Heat series in NBA Playoffs
2010 Eastern Conference first round — Celtics win, 4-1
Boston and Miami entered the 2010 NBA Playoffs as the No. 4 and No. 5 seeds, respectively, but the Celtics clearly had the better roster.
Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and Rajon Rondo each averaged at least 14 points per game in the series. Dwyane Wade posted 33.2 points, 6.8 assists, 5.6 rebounds, 1.6 steals and 1.6 blocks per game in the losing effort.
2011 Eastern Conference Semifinals — Heat win, 4-1
Miami got some revenge in the first season of the "Heatles" era. Wade and LeBron James powered their team to victory by averaging nearly 60 points per game combined.
The Heat went on to defeat the Bulls in the Eastern Conference Finals, but they fell to Dirk Nowitzki and the Mavericks in the NBA Finals.
2012 Eastern Conference Finals — Heat win, 4-3
This series marked a turning point in James' career. With the Heat down 3-2 and critics ready to rip him for failing on the playoff stage, James completely dominated Game 6, totaling 45 points, 15 rebounds and five assists in a 98-79 win.
Miami eliminated Boston and later captured the 2012 NBA title.
2020 Eastern Conference Finals — Heat win, 4-2
When the NBA restarted the 2019-20 season amid the COVID-19 pandemic, it quickly became clear that the Heat were built for the Florida "bubble."
A balanced Miami attack — six players averaged at least 11 points per game — took out a talented Celtics squad in six games. Miami then lost to James, Anthony Davis and the Lakers in the NBA Finals.
2022 Eastern Conference Finals — Celtics win, 4-3
Jimmy Butler led the Heat to a Game 6 win with 47 points, setting the stage for a thrilling Game 7. He nearly sent the Celtics home with what would have been a dagger 3-pointer, but his shot bounced off the front of the rim.
Unfortunately for Boston fans, Stephen Curry and the Warriors ruined the Celtics' plans to raise the franchise's 18th championship banner that year.