The Celtics, who are 15-4 over their past 19 games, have been without Kristaps Porzingis since Feb. 26, and the center remains questionable for Friday’s game as he deals with an illness.
Jaylen Brown (knee), Jayson Tatum (knee), and Derrick White (knee) are all questionable, and Al Horford (toe) is listed as probable.
The Heat, meanwhile, are coming off a 119-104 loss to the Clippers on Wednesday and are on a season-high five-game losing streak.
Here’s your preview.
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Where: Kaseya Center, Miami
TV, radio: NBA TV, NBCSB, WBZ-FM 98.5
CELTICS
Season record: 47-19. vs. spread: 30-36. Over/under: 30-35, 1 push
Last 10 games: 7-3. vs. spread: 5-5. Over/under: 4-6
HEAT
Season record: 29-36. vs. spread: 28-36, 1 push. Over/under: 34-31
Last 10 games: 3-7. vs. spread: 6-4. Over/under: 4-6
TEAM STATISTICS
Points per game: Boston 116.8, Miami 109.9
Points allowed per game: Boston 108.3, Miami 110.6
Field goal percentage: Boston .461, Miami .458
Opponent field goal percentage: Boston .453, Miami .464
3-point percentage: Boston .370, Miami .361
Opponent 3-point percentage: Boston .348, Miami .357
Stat of the day: Miami is 8-23 versus teams with .500 records or better.
Notes: Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said on Wednesday that Porzingis’s absence changes the way the Celtics play “significantly” on both ends of the court. … Jayson Tatum is averaging 27.2 points, 8.8 rebounds and a career-high 5.9 assists. … Jaylen Brown is averaging 23.0 points, 6.1 rebounds and a career-high 4.7 assists. … Boston’s exceptional role players include guards Derrick White and Jrue Holiday, who last season were named to the NBA’s All-Defense second team. White is also having a career year as a scorer (16.7 ppg). … The Heat are 15-16 at home. … Nikola Jovic (hand) and Alec Burks (back) are out for Miami.
Rumsha Siddiqui can be reached at [email protected]. Follow her on X @rumshasidd.