When your backcourt is as banged up as the Boston Celtics’ is, it could very well end up deciding the game against an opponent of the caliber the Miami Heat represent.
And with the two 2020 Eastern Conference foes meeting again for the first time since the Celtics unfortunate Game 6 exit, whether questionable guards Marcus Smart (sprained thumb) and Jeff Teague (sprained ankle) suit up may well make the difference between a repeat performance of the two teams’ last meeting and a bit of revenge for Boston. With starting point guard Kemba Walker (knee) and reserve wing Romeo Langford (wrist) still working their way back to game shape from injury, the Celtics will be leaning especially hard on their bench to help fill the gaps.
#NEBHInjuryReport vs. Miami:
Javonte Green (Health and Saftey protocol) – OUT
Romeo Langford (right wrist surgery) – OUT
Marcus Smart (right thumb sprain) – QUESTIONABLE
Jeff Teague (left ankle sprain) – QUESTIONABLE
Kemba Walker (left knee injury recovery) – OUT— Boston Celtics (@celtics) January 5, 2021
And while Payton Pritchard and Tremont Waters did a solid job against the 1 – 5 Toronto Raptors on Monday, the level of difficulty for Boston is jumping considerably in this contest.
On the Heat’s end healthwise, only small forward Maurice Harkless (left forearm contusion) is listed as questionable, with two way floor general Gabe Vincent also listed as probable with right knee soreness.
This should be a close game no matter how health breaks for Boston; fingers crossed we get at least one of Teague or Smart to help bolster the still-green if promising point guards the Celtics can put on the floor without injury.
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