The month of March ended on a season-best high note for the Miami Heat. They are currently riding a five-game winning streak— completely turning the tides from the abysmal 10-game losing skid not too long ago.
All of a sudden, the Heat look like they have finally built a new identity.
However, all of that has a chance to come to a screeching halt on Wednesday night as the Heat get set to face the Boston Celtics on the road. It will be the final matchup of a brief three-game road trip, as Miami will return to the 305 for the next three afterwards.
Boston has dominated as of late, going 9-1 in their last 10 games. They sit at the second seed in the Eastern Conference with an elite 56-19 record overall. This Celtics team has all the tools necessary to emerge as back-to-back NBA Champions.
The Celtics are looking to complete a 4-0 season series sweep against Miami. But they may have to do so with several key pieces on the injury report as questionable, including Jrue Holiday, Jaylen Brown and Kristaps Porzingis. Al Horford is also listed as doubtful.
In the Heat’s previous matchup against Boston, they had some starters sidelined for that game as well. Their coaching and depth still proved to be one of the best in the association, winning by double-digits inside the Kaseya Center.
Can Miami keep their winning streak alive against their formal rivals? Let us know in the comments!
Injury Report (at the time of this publishing):
Miami Heat:
- Nikola Jovic (hand) — OUT
- Dru Smith (achilles) — OUT
- Andrew Wiggins (hamstring) — OUT
- Duncan Robinson (sacroiliac joint) — OUT
- Kevin Love (personal) — OUT
Boston Celtics:
- Jaylen Brown (knee) — QUESTIONABLE
- JD Davison (g-league) — OUT
- Jrue Holiday (shoulder) — QUESTIONABLE
- Al Horford (toe) — DOUBTFUL
- Kristaps Porzingis (illness) — QUESTIONABLE
- Miles Norris (g-league) — OUT
- Drew Peterson (g-league) — OUT
- Jordan Walsh (g-league) — OUT
Projected Starting 5 (subject to change):
Miami Heat:
- Tyler Herro, G
- Alec Burks, G
- Pelle Larsson, F
- Bam Adebayo, F/C
- Kel’el Ware, C
Boston Celtics:
- Jrue Holiday, G
- Derrick White, G
- Jaylen Brown, F
- Jayson Tatum, F
- Kristaps Porzingis, 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)
***
To check out our other content, click here.
Follow Hot Hot Hoops on Twitter/X here!
Follow Hot Hot Hoops on Instagram here!
Subscribe to our YouTube channel here!
I’m looking at this game as a “Heat check.” If they win, they just may close out the season in playoff mode. If they lose, was it close or a blow out? What rotation did Spo use? Who shines and who doesn’t. Several questions may be answered by the end of this game.
GO HEAT!!!
Those Celtics are only questionable and not out, so who knows by game time. I could see them resting one or two of them against the Heat since they beat the Heat shorthanded last time.Can they make it a 6 game win streak?
Can’t say it doesn’t hurt to not have Wiggins for this one. But, it’s still an interesting watch to see if we give them a good tussle. Whatever the outcome, there is the silver lining of improving our chances of keeping our draft pick. Let the chips fall where they may. Go Heat!