The red-hot Miami Heat host the Boston Celtics on Tuesday, hoping to clinch their spot in the NBA Finals for the second time in four seasons.
Injury Update for Miami Heat and Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics were on the verge of disaster after losing Game 3 by a score of 102-128. Another setback meant that Jayson Tatum and his teammates would have to say goodbye to the NBA Playoffs in 2023. After a string of poor results, the Celtics’ players’ confidence has plummeted.
Coach Erik Spoelstra’s teachers and students are on fire for the Miami Heat. Following two wins at TD Garden, the Heat continued to dominate their opponents in Game 3 and were optimistic about ending the Eastern finals series with a 4-0 triumph.
The eighth-seeded Miami Heat’s Cinderella run through the Eastern Conference playoffs has been powered by spectacular play from Jimmy Butler and consistent efforts from Bam Adebayo.
Jimmy Butler was thoroughly taken care of in Game 3. He only had 16 points on 5/13 shooting. Other players, though, shone at the perfect time, allowing the Kaseya Center team to continue their outstanding performance.
The Heat received a huge lift from an undrafted quartet of players, hope to punch their ticket to their second NBA Finals trip in four seasons when they host the Boston Celtics on Tuesday.
In the NBA, a 3-0 deficit is considered the death knell for the trailing team. No team in league history has ever come back from such a large deficit to win a series.
Gabe Vincent topped all scorers with 29 points on 11-for-14 shooting from the floor and 6-of-9 from 3-point range on Sunday.
Undrafted players Duncan Robinson (22 points), Caleb Martin (18 points), and Max Strus (10) combined for 79 points, allowing Butler and Adebayo to virtually kick up their heels.
Kevin Love of Miami scored five points and grabbed two rebounds before leaving the game with an apparent ankle injury on Sunday. Spoelstra told reporters that Love, 34, “says he’s fine” despite his inability to return to the game.
The most diehard Boston supporters will recall how the 2004 Red Sox overcome a 3-0 series deficit to upset the rival New York Yankees en route to winning the World Series. As a result, anything is possible.
Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown both struggled in Game 3. Tatum finished with 14 points, 10 rebounds, a 6/18 field goal percentage, and a 1/7 3-point shooting percentage. Brown was no better, finishing with 12 points, 6 rebounds, and 6/17 throws while missing all seven three-point attempts.
Brown and Tatum’s underwhelming performance mirrored the Celtics in the Eastern Conference finals. The Celtics were weak and lacked the resolve to resist before the Heat played with determination and solidarity.
“To their credit, they’re playing well above their means,” observed Jaylen Brown. “They’re ballin’ right now, and I have to respect them.” Gabe Vincent, Martin, Strus, Duncan Robinson, and other players we should be able to keep under control are having a field day.”
Injury report Celtics:
- Danilo Gallinari (Knee) – Out
Injury report Heat:
- Kevin Love (Lower Leg) – Questionable
- Tyler Herro (Hand) – Out
- Victor Oladipo (Knee) – Out for the season
