Boston Celtics NBA Playoffs Game Tonight: Celtics vs Heat Injury Report, Starting Lineup, Predictions, TV Channel for May 17
The Eastern Conference Finals are upon us, with the Boston Celtics facing a familiar foe in Miami. Last postseason, the Heat took the Cs to seven games, but in 2023, things are expected to go much differently.
According to ESPN Analytics, Miami has a 3% chance of upsetting Boston in the first round. With several key rotation players missing, the Heat have been able to rely heavily on Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo, and to a lesser extent, Max Strus.
Can the Celtics satisfy the sky-high expectations of them in this series? A Game 1 win can go a long way, but Miami is not without its own momentum considering their shocking elimination of the Bucks and outplaying of the Knicks in the second round.
Wednesday, May 17. 57-25. 18. 44-38. TNT. Celtics -8. 8:30 PM ET. 110
Miami Heat: 25th (ORtg), 9th (DRtg), 29th (Pace), 21st (NRtg)
Boston Celtics: 2nd (ORtg), 2nd (DRtg), 20th (Pace), 1st (NRtg)
Boston Celtics Projected Starting Lineup
PG –Marcus Smart, SG – Jaylen Brown, SF – Jayson Tatum, PF – Al Horford, C – Robert Williams III
Miami Heat Projected Starting Lineup
PG – Gabe Vincent, SG – Max Strus, SF – Jimmy Butler, PF – Kevin Love, C – Bam Adebayo
Boston Celtics vs Miami Heat Injury Report
Celtics PF Danilo Gallinari (ACL) – Out
Heat C Cody Zeller (sickness) – Questionable
Heat SG Tyler Herro (hand) – Out
Heat SG Victor Oladipo (patellar tendon) – Out
Boston Celtics vs Miami Heat Prediction
It’s unknown how often we’ll see the C’s double-big lineup that arguably saved Boston’s season considering they only played 29 minutes together, but Kevin Love’s presence in the starting lineup could mean extended minutes for the Robert Williams III-Al Horford tandem.
Given what the Celtics do to their opponents when that lineup is around — well, minus the Golden State Warriors anyway, but they’re old news — the Houdini likes a statement win in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals.
Celtics 118 Heat 100