PREVIEW: The Miami Heat (15-12) and Boston Celtics (15-11) meet for the first of four regular season matchups in what shapes up as a compelling Eastern Conference battle. The Heat bring an elite quick tempo offense ranking first in that category, while also maintaining a low turnover rate that slots them sixth in the league . However, Boston's defense presents a significant challenge, as the Celtics rank first in defending three-point shooting and allow low quality attempts from distance. The Heat's average defensive rebounding and susceptibility to three-point attempts allowed rank them ninth and twenty-first respectively, suggesting potential vulnerability on that end of the floor. The Celtics feature impressive spacing on offense ranking second overall, paired with their league-leading defensive three-point prowess , though they rank thirtieth in attacking the rim and low in post-up shot frequency. Boston won the series 3-1 last season , bringing momentum into this contest. Both squads have invested heavily at the trade deadline, positioning themselves as serious contenders down the stretch. The stage is set for an intriguing matchup that could provide early clarity about which team is better equipped to make a deep playoff run this season.