The Miami Heat are coming off a rough fourth quarter performance against the Brooklyn Nets over the weekend. They have gone just 5-5 over their last 10 games, as the team remains struggling to search for any consistency. It won’t get any easier tonight, as the Heat are set to host the rival Boston Celtics inside Kaseya Center.
Boston has undoubtedly had their number against the likes of Miami over the past two seasons. They are 8-2 over the Heat in the last 10 matchups between the two. Of course, four of those losses included a gentleman sweep to oust Miami out of the first round in the 2024 playoffs— on route to securing an NBA championship.
They currently sport the Eastern Conference’s second seed at a 37-16 record, and winners of seven of their last 10 games. The Celtics are coming off a win versus the New York Knicks in their last game.
However, Jrue Holiday is listed as OUT on Boston’s injury report for tonight. Their superstar duo of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown are also listed as questionable… something to keep an eye on as tip-off time approaches.
For the Heat, it is finally the official start of a new-look era.
With Jimmy Butler’s trade departure to the Golden State Warriors, Miami’s newcomer’s in Andrew Wiggins, Davion Mitchell and Kyle Anderson will all be available to make their Heat debut tonight.
Wiggins is set to instantly be inserted into the team’s starting small forward slot, which is expected to move Haywood Highsmith back to a bench role. It will be interesting to see this new iteration of the Heat roster come together.
Especially with Wiggins’ two-way skill set configuring around the All-Star duo of Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo.
Injury Report (at the time of this publishing):
Miami Heat:
- Jaime Jaquez Jr. (illness) — QUESTIONABLE
- Nikola Jovic (ankle) — PROBABLE
- Josh Christopher (g-league) — OUT
- Keshad Johnson (g-league) — OUT
- Isaiah Stevens (g-league) — OUT
- Dru Smith (Achilles) — OUT
Boston Celtics:
- Jayson Tatum (patella) — QUESTIONABLE
- Jaylen Brown (knee) — QUESTIONABLE
- Jrue Holiday (shoulder) — OUT
- Torrey Craig (conditioning) — OUT
- JD Davison (g-league) — OUT
- Drew Peterson (g-league) — OUT
- Anton Watson (g-league) — OUT
Projected Starting 5 (subject to change):
Miami Heat:
- Tyler Herro, G
- Duncan Robinson, G
- Andrew Wiggins, F
- Bam Adebayo, C
- Kel’el Ware, C
Boston Celtics:
- Derrick White, G
- Jaylen Brown, G
- Jayson Tatum, F
- Kristaps Porzingis, F
- Al Horford, C
Broadcast Info:
- Tipoff: 7:30 PM EST
- TV: Fanduel Sports Network Sun (Eric Reid & John Crotty)
- Radio: AM 560 Sports WQAM & The HEAT Radio Network (Jason Jackson)
- Spanish Radio: WAQI 710 AM & The HEAT Spanish Radio Network (José Pañeda)
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Just no blowout pls. Unless its the Heat doing it. Can we even survive these coming games before the break? Heat might fall 3 games below .500 😳🙄
Go Heat!!
No blowout. I give you my personal assurance. 😆
Mitchell with the joy comment. Hilarious! I like this guy
I look forward to seeing all three new players quickly meshing with the regular rotation players. I think they should fit relatively seamlessly. The timing is good considering the team will have the next three games and the all-star break to work the new players into the system and for the players to become familiar with their new teammates, on and off the court. Hopefully, the team will soon find its equilibrium and stability, free of all the stress, drama and uncertainty present prior to the trade deadline.
Not a bad projected line-up:
Herro, Robinson, Wiggins, Bam, Ware
Mitchell, Rozier, Jaquez, Highsmith, Jovic
Burks, Larsson, Anderson, Johnson, Love
P.S. I would like to see Spo begin playing Johnson more and gradually working him into the rotation. I believe he has much to offer, on both sides of the ball, as a back-up SF and PF. Down the road, I picture a starting line-up of Herro (25), Wiggins (29), Johnson (23), Bam (27) and Ware (21).
This should be a fun game to integrate the new guys. It could take a few games, so not too confident in this one, but you never know. Maybe they play a little more spirited and avoid another 4th quarter from hell.
Eventually I hope Mitchell can replace Duncan in the starting line-up. And we will have some decent depth too. This team will be fun to watch.