Celtics at Heat
THE STORY: The 66-game schedule is a test of teams’ conditioning, so
it’s a surprise that the Miami Heat, and not the veteran-laden Boston
Celtics, are hitting the wall with three weeks to go. Miami, which led
the NBA in scoring for most of the season, is averaging less than 90
points in its last five games and has topped the century mark only twice
in the last 13 outings.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, ESPN, SunSports (Miami), CS New England (Boston), ESPN3.com
ABOUT THE CELTICS (32-24):
While younger clubs fade down the stretch, the Celtics’ toughness and
experience has boosted them to the top of the Atlantic Division and into
the No. 4 spot in the Eastern Conference playoffs. Boston made a huge
statement with a 24-point victory over Philadelphia on Sunday for its
seventh win in the last nine games. Defense remains the backbone in
Beantown as the Celtics allowed only 81.6 points per game during that
span and kept five of those opponents to less than 80 points.
ABOUT THE HEAT (40-15):
Miami coach Erik Spoelstra has denied claims that he’ll rest his
players down the stretch, but he did give star guard Dwyane Wade the
night off against Detroit on Sunday. Wade has been nursing a sore right
ankle and has missed 11 games this season, with Miami going 10-1 in
those contests. LeBron James scored 26 points Sunday and is averaging 30
points when Wade is out of the lineup.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1.
Chris Bosh, the other member of the Heat’s Big Three, averages 24.5
points when Wade is sidelined – more than six points above his season
average.
2. These teams have split the season series, but Miami has won six of the last eight meetings.
3.
Avery Bradley continues to start in place of Ray Allen. The second-year
guard is averaging 13.6 points since joining the starting five March
25.