Game 3 between the Heat and the Celtics was just like game 1 where the Heat won the first quarter of the four and still managed to win it all. Heat have won only 2 of the 12 quarters in the series so far and still are up 2-1, the first team in the NBA history to have done so. They lost Butler to knee inflammation and he didn’t play at all in the 2nd half. TD garden witnessed so many injuries in this game with Smart rolling his ankle, Williams sitting down even before the game started, Tatum going out for a couple of minutes in the 4th with a sore shoulder, Herro injuring his leg in the 3rd and Tucker still struggling with his ankle.
However, when it comes to performance on the court, the Heat is the best team in the league when it comes to defending and they win matches with their defence. Saturday was no different with the Heat stealing the ball 19 times, a franchise record and scoring 33 points off total 24 turnovers. Oladipo harassed Brown who had a 40 point game stripping him 5 times just in the 3rd quarter. Miami had a 26 points lead in the first half, Celtics made a run late in the game to cut that lead to 1 in the fourth quarter but Miami somehow managed to survive till the buzzer.
Match Preview Miami Heat
Miami will be concerned with Jimmy’s knee status for game 4 and whether or not he can play because with him out of the line-up and Herro struggling offensively, they will have a hard time scoring the basketball.
Eric Spoelstra always insists that it starts with defence and though they have few of the best defenders in the NBA, they will have to find that offensive spark from somewhere. Adebayo had an impressive game 3 and Heat would like him to continue his form going into game 4. Oladipo, Lowry and Robinson will need to step up and knock down their shots if Butler is not available for the game.
The Heat understands that the Celtics haven’t lost back-to-back in these playoffs and that Tatum will not struggle two games in a row scoring the ball so they need to be locked in right from the tip-off.
Match Preview Boston Celtics
Boston Celtics will be regretting losing the home-court advantage they had after winning the 2nd game. They covered up the lead but just couldn’t get over the edge and will look not to repeat that in game 4. Tatum will bounce back from a bad game 3 where he struggled almost the entire night scoring from both inside and outside the paint, his shoulder injury might be a reason for that. Brown will look to carry his form of game 3 to the next game but with fewer turnovers.
The Celtics understand that the Heat killed them by forcing turnovers and they will have to reduce that in order to win one of the home games. They will have to be smart and take care of the basketball against a suffocating Heat defence.
Match Details
- Venue: TD Garden, Boston, Massachusetts
- Date: May 23, Monday
- Time: 7:40 PM ET USA
Best Picks
1. Jayson Taytum
The best offensive player in the playoffs so far who has carried his team and has made big shots during the entire playoffs. He has proved that he is the next superstar in this league.
2. Jimmy Butler
The only player in the 2021-22 playoffs to have three 40 point games alongside Luca. He is an amazing two-way player and can not only score but guard multiple positions. His status is unclear for the game though.
3. Jaylen Brown
He just had a 40 point game and has been the 2nd best Celtics player in the series and is capable of scoring, assisting and rebounding the ball.
Miami Heat Vs Boston Celtics Game 4 predicted Starting Line Up:-
Miami Heat:-
1. G.Vincent[PG]
2. J.Butler [SF]
3. B.Adebayo [C]
4. M.Strus [SG]
5. P.Tucker [PF]
Boston Celtics:-
1. M.Smart [PG]
2. J.Taytum [SF]
3. Al Horford [C]
4. J.Brown [SG]
5. G.Williams [PF]
Miami Heat Vs Boston Celtics Game 4 odds:
Miami is +250 on the money line and the Celtics are -320. The over/under for the game is set at 208.5 points.
Miami Heat Vs Boston Celtics head to head stats:-
They have played 129 regular-season games in total with Miami taking home 51 wins and the Celtics winning 78 games.
Miami Heat Vs Boston Celtics Game 4 Prediction:-
Having a record of 4-0 in these playoffs when it comes to coming off a loss, the Celtics are favourites to win the game 4 at home and even the series 2-2. They will not be looking to head to Miami down 3-1.Heat on the other hand will be looking to take away one more game on the road. The fate of this series rests pretty much on the injuries since both teams have been undermanned in all the games played till now.
Live Streaming: Where to Watch Miami Heat Vs Boston Celtics Game 4?
ESPN Channel!
NBA App!
Also Read : Charles Barkley claims he is a better two-way player than Larry Bird and mentions Jordan and Duncan as well.
