Boston Celtics NBA Playoffs Game Tonight: Celtics vs Heat Injury Report, Starting Lineup, Predictions, TV Channel for May 21
The Boston Celtics find themselves down 0-2 to the Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals, and both of those losses happened on their home court. Even still, sportsbooks and the infamous ESPN Analytics — makers of the 3% chance Miami had to win before the ECF — find themselves favoring the Cs with the series shifting to South Beach.
Whether the Celtics deserve the benefit of the doubt is questionable at this point. Jimmy Butler has infiltrated the team’s psyche. Role players like Caleb Martin, Kyle Lowry, Gabe Vincent, Max Strus, and Duncan Robinson have all gone for 15 at least once, proving that their depth is superior to Boston’s at this point. Al Horford has been virtually nonexistent for the Celtics, and Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown had a disappearing act for the ages in the fourth quarter of Game 2.
Does this all point to the Heat taking control of this series as the action moves to the Kaseya Center? Or will the real Cs (please) stand up?
18. Sunday, May 21. 8:30 PM ET. 57-25. 110. Celtics -3.5. TNT. 44-38
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 – Derrick White, SF – Jaylen Brown, 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 SG Tyler Herro (hand) – Out
Heat SG Victor Oladipo (patellar tendon) – Out
Boston Celtics vs Miami Heat Prediction
It’s unfathomable thinking about the Celtics being on the brink of elimination at the hands of a team as injury-riddled as this Heat squad, but that’s where Boston finds itself. Luckily, the Cs have been more consistent on the road in recent postseasons, so there could be a reverse homecourt at play here.
The chalk should be sufficient on Sunday night. Celtics finally get on the board this series.
Celtics 112 Heat 107