GAME PREVIEW: Heat visit Celtics in all-important clash with playoff implications

GAME STORY

The Miami Heat (36-31) are back in action today for an early 1:00pm game against the host Boston Celtics (35-32) in the first game of a back-to-back set that concludes on Tuesday.

For a detailed look at just how critical these games are for the Heat (and the Celtics) check out Diego Quezada’s analysis of the next two pivotal games.

This is the second time these two teams have faced off this season, with the Celtics winning 107-105 on Jan. 6. Jayson Tatum led Boston with 27 points while Jimmy Butler paced Miami with 26 points. The second game in their series, which was originally scheduled for Jan. 10 was postponed because of contact tracing concerns.

ODDS: FiveThirtyEight gives the Heat just a 37% chance to win the game.

HEAT VS CELTICS: SUNDAY, MAY 9 AT 1:00 PM

INJURIES

MIAMI:

• Victor Oladipo: out (knee)

BOSTON:

• Jaylen Brown: out (ankle)
• Robert Williams III: out (foot)

LINEUPS

BROADCAST INFO

TV: ESPN, NBA League Pass
RADIO: The Ticket 790AM & The HEAT Radio Network (Mike Inglis, Ron Rothstein, Jonathan Zaslow, Tommy Tighe)
SPANISH RADIO: WRTO Mix 98.3 FM (José Pañeda, Joe Pujala). HEAT Spanish Radio Network includes: WEFL ESPN Deportes 760 AM

Come back to Hot Hot Hoops at game time to join our GameThread and chat about the game live with other Heat fans!