Celtics Gear Up for Battle Against Heat After Shocking Loss
The Boston Celtics are hitting the road to Miami this Friday to take on the Heat after finishing a seven-game stretch at home. Their momentum was interrupted by the Oklahoma City Thunder, who ended Boston’s five-game winning streak on Wednesday night with a 118-112 victory—a game that had all the intensity of an NBA Finals showdown.
Boston had a historic first half, launching 36 three-point attempts, the most ever in a half of an NBA game. They managed to sink 15 of those, finishing the night at 20 of 63 from beyond the arc, equating to a 31.7% success rate.
In recent games, the Celtics have boasted a 15-4 record, although they’ve been missing Kristaps Porzingis since February 26 due to an illness. He remains uncertain for Friday’s match. The team is also assessing the conditions of Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, and Derrick White, all of whom are dealing with knee injuries, while Al Horford is potentially playing despite a toe issue.
Conversely, the Miami Heat are struggling, currently experiencing a five-game losing streak. Their last game saw them fall 119-104 to the Clippers on Wednesday.
Game Details:
- Date and Time: Friday, 7 p.m.
- Location: Kaseya Center, Miami
- Broadcast: NBA TV, NBCSB, WBZ-FM 98.5
Team Insights:
Boston Celtics - Overall Record: 47-19 - Against the Spread: 30-36 - Over/Under: 30-35, with one push - Last 10 Games: 7-3 overall, 5-5 against the spread, and 4-6 in over/under
Miami Heat - Overall Record: 29-36 - Against the Spread: 28-36, with one push - Over/Under: 34-31 - Last 10 Games: 3-7 overall, 6-4 against the spread, and 4-6 in over/under
Team Statistics:
- Points Per Game: Boston - 116.8, Miami - 109.9
- Points Allowed Per Game: Boston - 108.3, Miami - 110.6
- Field Goal Percentage: Boston - 46.1%, Miami - 45.8%
- Opponent Field Goal Percentage: Boston - 45.3%, Miami - 46.4%
- Three-Point Percentage: Boston - 37.0%, Miami - 36.1%
- Opponent Three-Point Percentage: Boston - 34.8%, Miami - 35.7%
Stat of the Day:
Miami struggles significantly against stronger teams, holding an 8-23 record against opponents with .500 records or better.
Additional Notes:
Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault highlighted Porzingis’s absence as a crucial factor altering the Celtics’ dynamics on both offense and defense. Jayson Tatum continues to be a force, averaging 27.2 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 5.9 assists—his career high for assists. Jaylen Brown is not far behind, with an impressive 23 points, 6.1 rebounds, and a career-high 4.7 assists per game. Boston’s roster depth shines with standout performances from Derrick White and Jrue Holiday, both recognized on the NBA’s All-Defense second team last season. White is having a standout scoring season, averaging 16.7 points per game. Meanwhile, Miami faces additional challenges with Nikola Jovic (hand) and Alec Burks (back) sidelined, adding to their struggles at home, where they are just 15-16.