The Miami Heat will welcome the NBA's defending champions, Boston Celtics on Friday, March 14 in the marquee contest. The Boston Celtics are navigating through a tough injury period as they have eight players on their injury report. All eyes will be on whether Kristaps Porzingis and Jaylen Brown feature against the Heat.
Will Kristaps Porzingis and Jaylen Brown start against Miami Heat?
It has been a growing trend in the past few games that the Celtics have given their starters some rest and for the clash against the Heat, they have four players out of first five listed as questionable.
The list includes Jayson Tatum, who is dealing with right knee tendinopathy and Jaylen Brown, suffering from a right knee posterior impingement. On the other hand, Derrick White, is recovering from a left knee contusion and Kristaps Porzingis, who has not played since February 26, remains out with non-Covid illness.
Al Horford, who was coming in handy to fill in the space for Porzingis is also listed on the injury report as questionable.
Tatum, Brown and White featured in the last game that the Celtics played against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The availability of all the three players will depend on how they feel before the tip-off. However, Al Horford will start the clash against the Heat and Porzingis is also game-time decision.
Drew Peterson, Miles Norris and JD Davidson will also not start against the Heat as they are out on the G League assignments. The Celtics have taken advantage of the teams who are shorthanded and Heat won't be any different from the others. The Miami Heat are seven games under .500 and on a five-game losing streak.
Boston Celtics vs Miami Heat preview
The Boston Celtics are the favorites to win against the Heat. They have won five of their last six games as the only defeat came at the hands of Thunder. Despite the injury concerns, it will be an easy affair for the Celtics team. However, the Heat are desperate for a win.
The Boston Celtics will look to avoid consecutive losses for the second time this season after losing out to Thunder (118-112) on Wednesday. The oddsmakers have the Celtics as -8-point favorites with a -335 money line.
When and where to watch Miami Heat vs Boston Celtics clash?
The NBA TV will nationally televise the Miami Heat vs Boston Celtics clash which will take place at the Kaseya Center. The local coverage will be provided by NBC Sports Boston and FanDuel Sports Network Sun. The viewers can enjoy the live streaming on the NBA League Pass.