Celtics vs. Heat: Latest Heat Injury News Makes Celtics’ Job Even Easier in Game 5…..
The Boston Celtics took a commanding lead in their first-round series against the Miami Heat after two blowout wins on the road. As the series heads back to Boston for Game 5, the Celtics have an excellent opportunity to close out and get some rest before the second round. This is now even more important after Kristaps Porzingis suffered a minor injury in Game 4, forcing him out of the game.
This had to strip Caleb Martin of his voodoo powers.
Jayson Tatum, folks. #DifferentHere | #Celtics pic.twitter.com/p5c7cJ6v2x
— Nick Galle (@thenickgalle) April 30, 2024
The Celtics aren’t only fortunate that Porzingis’ injury doesn’t seem too serious, but they also will be facing an even more short-handed Miami team in Game 5. Already dealing with the injury to their superstar Jimmy Butler and starting guard Terry Rozier, the Heat will now be missing Jaime Jaquez Jr. as well.
Miami Heat Will Be Missing More Key Players In Game 5
Miami already had depth concerns, having to rely on aging veterans like Patty Mills, Delon Wright, and Kevin Love off the bench. Jaquez’s absence means that they will have to play even more minutes.
The Celtics know better than any other team to not discount the Heat. Coach Erik Spoelstra never runs out of tricks in his playbook to cobble together dangerous teams.
Just watch the defense from the Celtics. That's where the offensive struggles came from the Heat
Aggressive, pressuring the ball handler, showing help but not too much, not enough to open up space for 3s & even the closeouts were hard
There was just no room for anything pic.twitter.com/x08G1e2zFK
— John Jablonka (@JohnJablonka_) April 28, 2024
However, even with Porzingis expected to miss the next game, the Celtics are much deeper and more talented than this Heat team. Now that they have Miami on the ropes, Boston has to take care of business at home on Wednesday to start waiting on their next-round opponent. You never want to play with your food in the playoffs, especially if you are facing the Miami Heat.
On FanDuel Sportsbook, the Celtics are -1000 favorites at home in Game 5. The short-handed Heat would have to overcome being 14-point underdogs to extend the series.
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Celtics vs. Heat: 3 Keys to Closing the Series
Boston will have a chance to punch its ticket to Eastern Conference semifinals on Wednesday night
The Boston Celtics are one win away from officially exacting revenge on the Miami Heat.
After falling to Miami in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference finals less than a year ago, Boston has a chance to get back at the Heat when the teams collide on Wednesday for Game 5 of their first-round playoff series.
.@wojespn shares the latest update on Kristaps Porzingis' injury. pic.twitter.com/HhwdzVoWkM
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) April 30, 2024
A concerning performance in Game 2 caused the Celtics to cough up homecourt advantage, but Boston wasted no time getting it back, dominating the Heat in Miami in Games 3 and 4 to take a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series.
Now the Celtics are headed back to Boston as they attempt to punch their ticket to the second round for the seventh time in eight seasons.
Here are three things the Celtics need to focus on if they want to prevent a Game 6:
Get Jayson Tatum Involved Early
Kristaps Porzingis got off to a hot start in Game 3 and Derrick White netted 16 first-quarter points in Game 4, so there was really no need for Tatum to take over.
But he attempted just five shots from the field in the opening period in those two games combined, a staunch contrast from Game 2, where Tatum went for 14 points on 5-of-6 shooting through the first 12 minutes of action.
With all signs pointing toward Porzingis (calf) being out for Wednesday’s contest, Tatum — and Jaylen Brown — need to take control of the game right out of the gate. If they fail to set the tone and let the Heat get some momentum, this series could very well end up going back to Miami.
Keep Leaning on the Defense
Yes, the Heat haven’t had Jimmy Butler (knee) or Terry Rozier (neck) for this series, but don’t let that distract you from just how good Boston’s defense has been.
Miami has failed to reach the 100-point mark in all three of its losses, and aside from their historic Game 2 performance — where they made 23 of 43 3-pointers (53.5 percent) — the Heat have not connected on more than 32.4 percent of their attempts from deep.
If defense wins championships, the Celtics have one coming their way, and they must continue to take advantage of Miami’s makeshift offense.
Attack the Paint
Boston has the advantage at virtually every position on the floor, and if it can get Bam Adebayo in foul trouble, well, the Heat might as well call it a season.
The Celtics love to rely on the 3-ball, and it’s worked for them. You really can’t argue with a 64-18 finish. But if Tatum and Brown go to the hoop with authority, Tyler Herro, Caleb Martin, Nikola Jovic and Duncan Robinson aren’t going to know how to stop them.
Martin tried to slow Tatum down on Monday, and it went poorly, to say the least.
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