BOSTON (AP) — The Heat have been embarrassed in Game 2, surrendering home-court benefit of their blowout loss to the Celtics of their Eastern Conference finals matchup.
Miami returned the favor in Game 3, constructing a 26-point first-half lead en path to hanging on for a 109-103 victory regardless of star Jimmy Butler sitting out the second half with swelling in his proper knee. Tyler Herro additionally didn’t play the ultimate eight minutes of the fourth quarter due to a groin damage.
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With Boston’s Jayson Tatum (stinger) and Marcus Smart (sprained ankle) additionally struggling accidents late, the Celtics went from an opportunity to take management of the sequence to now making an attempt to keep away from dropping back-to-back video games for the primary time in two months.
In addition to Tatum and Smart, middle Robert Williams III sat out Game 3 with swelling in his surgically repaired left knee.
As anticipated, Celtics coach Ime Udoka stated the coach’s desk was busy on Saturday.
(*4*) Udoka stated.
“Getting worked on and getting treatment. See how he feels tomorrow. Jayson is fine. It’s a stinger that went away pretty quickly. And the Rob has improved. Feels better than he did yesterday. … It’s day to day. We’ll test it out tomorrow and see how he feels.”
Tatum (nerve impingement) is possible for Game 4, with Smart and Williams each listed as questionable.
Miami beating again a late-game cost by Boston to protect a victory and take a 2-1 sequence lead is an encouraging signal for a Heat staff that was 15-10 with out Butler throughout the common season. The Heat additionally wrapped up their first-round sequence in opposition to Atlanta with out each Butler and Kyle Lowry.
Lowry performed for the primary time on this sequence Saturday, ending with 11 factors, six assists and 4 steals in 29 minutes. He had missed eight of the earlier 10 video games with a proper hamstring damage.
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He stated it felt good to be again, however acknowledged it was powerful to see each Butler and Herro added to their damage checklist — doubtlessly once more leaving Miami at lower than full power.
“Just having an opportunity to be out there with my guys is always fun,” Lowry stated. “Injuries are a part of the game. That’s the part that sucks about the game, the injuries, and this is tough. Jimmy is a warrior. Tyler is a warrior. But we have to continue to stay focused on what we did as a group … and hopefully those guys will be back and ready to go next game.”
The Heat listed Buter (knee), Lowry (hamstring), Herro (groin) Max Strus (hamstring), Gabe Vincent (hamstring) and P.J. Tucker (knee) as questionable for Game 4.
Whoever Miami in the end has out there on Monday, Udoka stated the onus will probably be on the Celtics to restrict their unforced errors.
Boston turned the ball over a 2022 playoff-high 24 occasions in Game 3, resulting in 33 Miami factors. The Heat additionally had 22 extra pictures that the Celtics.
“Obviously those things stand out and a lot were us playing to the crowd, trying to do too much and not making the simple pass,” Udoka stated. “When you look at those areas, we’ve had some good carryover at times, but at times taken a step back.
Tatum said avoiding what seems to be Miami’s magic number of 39 will also be paramount. Miami had a 39-point third quarter to take control in Game 1 and outscored the Celtics 39-18 in the first quarter of Game 3.
“There’s no excuse. We can’t spot them 39 points in the first quarter. Obviously we were just trying to overcome that the rest of the game,” Tatum stated. “So we’ve obviously got to be better starting the game for sure.”
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