Image Source: Alamy Stock Photo
2024-25 NBA Regular Season
Miami Heat v Boston Celtics
Kaseya Center
Miami, Florida
Saturday 15 March
Tip-off at 01:00
A wounded Miami Heat are on a mission to snap their four match losing streak when they go up against a confident Boston Celtics in an all-Eastern Conference clash on Saturday morning, 15 March.
Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra is a legend in his own right, having led the Heat to two championships and six NBA finals appearances. These achievements earned him a staggering $120 million contract extension in 2024, the largest a coach has ever received in
NBA history.
The team however, has been struggling to close out matches this season and Spoelstra spoke about remaining confident that the Heat can turn their fourth quarter issues around.
“Some of these games, you can’t even explain. We’ll get to work and try to fix the things that are obvious, and there are things that are just happening,” Spoelstra said.
“There’s nothing wrong with a little bit of stress in our lives. We have a lot of good things going for us to be able to be in this profession and be around each other. But there is a beauty in the grind and beauty in the struggle. If we keep on forging ahead, I do believe that there’s something beautiful on the other side.”
On the other hand, the Boston Celtics are second in the Eastern conference rankings. After being ruled out for a sixth game straight on Monday, Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis announced on social media that he is suffering from a “viral illness.”
“I have been dealing with some viral illness that we haven't been able to fully identify yet,” Porzingis wrote.
“I am recovering and getting better. But still working my way back to full [strength] to help this team. Thanks for [your] support and [I’m] hoping for a healthy return soon.”
Porzingis is having a standout season, averaging nearly 19 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 blocks per game, while shooting an impressive 53% from 2-point range and a career-best 40% from 3-point range.
Image Source: Getty Images
There’s a concern that the Celtics might be starting to wear out as a number of star players are facing injury issues, including power forward Jayson Tatum.
Jayson Tatum (right knee tendinopathy) is questionable while Jaylen Brown (right knee posterior impingement) is probable.
After a stunning win against the Los Angeles Lakers however, Brown gave credit where it’s due and the difficulty of defending against a talent like Luka Doncic.
“Luka is one of the greats. He is one of those generational talents,” Brown said. “He’s one of my favourite players on that side of the ball. So, I spend a lot of time watching his game.”
Miami Heat v Boston Celtics – Head-to-head, Regular season
Games played: 138
Miami Heat wins: 53
Boston Celtics wins: 85
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