Celtics Aim To Finish Heat In Game 5
The Boston Celtics will host the Miami Heat at TD Garden on Wednesday in Game 5 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs. The Celtics lead the series 3-1.
The Celtics are 48 minutes away from securing a spot in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, barring an epic disaster. The Celtics posted the best record in the league during the regular season, and to top that, they also went an impressive 37-4 at home. It’s worth noting that the Heat stole a victory from TD Garden earlier in the series, but Boston will ensure that doesn’t happen again. The Celtics are the better team; they’re healthier despite the absence of Kristaps Porzingis (calf), and they execute at a higher level on both ends of the court. Plus, given how the games of this series have unfolded, Boston shouldn’t have problems securing the victory amid a strong start. The Celtics will rely on their defense to get the job done, as they’ve kept the Heat below the 100-point mark in each of the three wins in the current series.
The Heat have their backs against the wall in the series, and their chances of pushing it to a sixth game -- let alone attempting a comeback on a 1-3 deficit -- are slim to none. The Heat would have a shot if Jimmy Butler were available, but the star forward is out with a knee injury. To make things even more complicated, two other valuable contributors are also out since Terry Rozier (neck) and Jaime Jaquez (hip) won’t play. This means the Heat will not only be without their star player for this pivotal contest, but they’ll also be shorthanded in the backcourt. Miami will probably rely on Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro to carry the team Wednesday. Adebayo will have to be particularly good since he won’t have to deal with Porzingis. However, Miami must be realistic. They have gone a combined 1-6 against Boston in 2023-24 between the regular season and the playoffs, and the realistic expectation is that their season will end Wednesday.
The Celtics are 48 minutes away from securing a spot in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, barring an epic disaster. The Celtics posted the best record in the league during the regular season, and to top that, they also went an impressive 37-4 at home. It’s worth noting that the Heat stole a victory from TD Garden earlier in the series, but Boston will ensure that doesn’t happen again. The Celtics are the better team; they’re healthier despite the absence of Kristaps Porzingis (calf), and they execute at a higher level on both ends of the court. Plus, given how the games of this series have unfolded, Boston shouldn’t have problems securing the victory amid a strong start. The Celtics will rely on their defense to get the job done, as they’ve kept the Heat below the 100-point mark in each of the three wins in the current series.
The Heat have their backs against the wall in the series, and their chances of pushing it to a sixth game -- let alone attempting a comeback on a 1-3 deficit -- are slim to none. The Heat would have a shot if Jimmy Butler were available, but the star forward is out with a knee injury. To make things even more complicated, two other valuable contributors are also out since Terry Rozier (neck) and Jaime Jaquez (hip) won’t play. This means the Heat will not only be without their star player for this pivotal contest, but they’ll also be shorthanded in the backcourt. Miami will probably rely on Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro to carry the team Wednesday. Adebayo will have to be particularly good since he won’t have to deal with Porzingis. However, Miami must be realistic. They have gone a combined 1-6 against Boston in 2023-24 between the regular season and the playoffs, and the realistic expectation is that their season will end Wednesday.
Clippers Looking To Carry Momentum Back Home
By Dan Bruno
The Los Angeles Clippers play host to the Dallas Mavericks in Game 5 of the Western Conference First-Round Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena on Wednesday evening.
The series is tied at 2-2 as momentum has swung back-and-forth, starting with the Clippers' road win in Game 1, followed by back-to-back wins for the Mavs, before the Clippers came up clutch on the road in Game 4.
Paul George delivered 33 points, six rebounds, eight assists, four steals and a block, while James Harden totaled 33 points, six rebounds, seven assists, a steal and a block to lead the Clippers to the win in Game 5. George and Harden must be prepared to continue to lead the charge, as Kawhi Leonard (knee) will be sidelined for Game 5. Amir Coffey is expected to pick up his second consecutive start in place of Leonard, after he was quiet with four points, three assists, a steal and a block, in 23 minutes in the last outing. Ivica Zubac remains solid in his role and is averaging 16.3 points, 9.8 rebounds and 1.0 steals per game in the series.
On the other side, Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving have been dominant to start the series, as Doncic is averaging 29.0 points, 9.8 rebounds, 8.5 assists and 1.0 steals, while Irving is averaging 28.8 points, 6.0 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.8 steals over the four games. P.J. Washington is averaging 12.3 points, 5.5 rebounds, 1.8 steals and 1.5 blocks in the series and must continue to step up in order help be a difference-maker for his squad. Tim Hardaway (ankle) missed the last game and will remain out through Wednesday's action.
The series is tied at 2-2 as momentum has swung back-and-forth, starting with the Clippers' road win in Game 1, followed by back-to-back wins for the Mavs, before the Clippers came up clutch on the road in Game 4.
Paul George delivered 33 points, six rebounds, eight assists, four steals and a block, while James Harden totaled 33 points, six rebounds, seven assists, a steal and a block to lead the Clippers to the win in Game 5. George and Harden must be prepared to continue to lead the charge, as Kawhi Leonard (knee) will be sidelined for Game 5. Amir Coffey is expected to pick up his second consecutive start in place of Leonard, after he was quiet with four points, three assists, a steal and a block, in 23 minutes in the last outing. Ivica Zubac remains solid in his role and is averaging 16.3 points, 9.8 rebounds and 1.0 steals per game in the series.
On the other side, Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving have been dominant to start the series, as Doncic is averaging 29.0 points, 9.8 rebounds, 8.5 assists and 1.0 steals, while Irving is averaging 28.8 points, 6.0 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.8 steals over the four games. P.J. Washington is averaging 12.3 points, 5.5 rebounds, 1.8 steals and 1.5 blocks in the series and must continue to step up in order help be a difference-maker for his squad. Tim Hardaway (ankle) missed the last game and will remain out through Wednesday's action.