NBA
Heat vs Celtics game 5 injury report: Will Gabe Vincent and Tyler Herro play?
Gabe Vincent was phenomenal again, but he tweaked his ankle late in the 4th quarter and joined Tyler Herro and Victor Oladipo on the injury list.
The Miami Heat squandered their opportunity to secure a spot in the NBA Finals with a disheartening defeat against the Boston Celtics. The game, which took place at the Kasaya Center, ended with a final score of 116-99 in favor of the Celtics, leaving Heat fans feeling embarrassed and disappointed.
At halftime, the Heat seemed promising, leading the Celtics by six points with a score of 56-50. Despite a lackluster shooting performance and some turnovers, Miami held a significant advantage. The Heat appeared to have a golden chance to seize victory and deliver a crushing blow to the Celtics, thereby earning themselves a well-deserved break before facing the Denver Nuggets in the Finals. However, the second half proved to be a complete letdown for the Heat, forcing them to travel to Boston for an upcoming game on Thursday night at the TD Garden.
Although the Heat maintains a 3-1 lead in the series, doubts have started to creep in. Fans are nervously hoping that stars such as Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo, and coach Erik Spoelstra won’t allow a historic 3-0 lead to slip away. Nevertheless, the Heat is anticipated to regroup and return to the Kasaya Center for Game 6 on Saturday night, hoping to secure victory and avoid a worst-case scenario.
Analyzing the game, Jimmy Butler’s performance was a mixed bag. While he finished with 29 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 assists, he appeared somewhat disengaged during the first half. Butler struggled to find his rhythm and missed several easy shots near the basket, including a crucial layup early in the third quarter. Bam Adebayo, who has a history of stepping up in closeout games, underperformed with only 10 points and 5 rebounds. His lack of aggression on offense had a noticeable impact on the team’s overall performance.
Gabe Vincent and Tyler Herro’s injury status
Despite tweaking his ankle in the fourth quarter, Gabe Vincent had a commendable outing, contributing 17 points. However, his injury raises concerns for the Heat, as Vincent has played a crucial role in the team’s playoff run. Vincent is listed as questionable for Thursday’s Game 5 against the Boston Celtics in Miami, and it will be a game-time decision if he will come into the game or not. His effectiveness and availability in the upcoming games will be vital, especially with Tyler Herro and Victor Oladipo already sidelined.
With the series now at 3-1 in favor of the Heat, Miami must regain their focus and intensity heading into Game 5. Despite their commanding lead, the team cannot afford to underestimate the Celtics, as demonstrated by the odds favoring Boston’s chances of a comeback. It would be perceptive for the Heat to monitor Tyler Herro’s hand injury closely. However, it is doubtful that he will be able to return even if the Eastern Conference Finals go the full seven games.