The Boston Celtics head into Wednesday’s matchup against the Miami Heat dealing with a key absence in the frontcourt, while Miami continues to monitor the status of Andrew Wiggins.
Boston lists Nikola Vucevic as out because of a fractured right ring finger. Several depth players are also uncertain, including Ron Harper Jr., Max Shulga, John Tonje and Amari Williams.
The absence of Vucevic removes an experienced scoring option from Boston’s rotation. The veteran center has averaged 10.4 points and 7.2 rebounds in limited action this season.
Without him, the Celtics are likely to rely more heavily on Neemias Queta and Luka Garza in the middle. Queta has started most of the season and is producing 9.9 points and 8.3 rebounds while shooting 64.0 percent from the field.
Boston’s offensive engine remains on the wing. Jaylen Brown leads the team with 28.6 points, 7.1 rebounds and 5.2 assists per game while carrying a large share of the scoring load.
Miami enters the game with a shorter injury list but still faces important lineup questions. Wiggins is questionable with left big toe sesamoiditis, which could affect the Heat’s perimeter defense and secondary scoring.
Norman Powell will not play because of an upper respiratory illness. The guard has averaged 22.1 points per game this season, making him Miami’s leading scorer.
The Heat will rely heavily on Bam Adebayo if Powell and possibly Wiggins remain out. Adebayo is averaging 20.1 points and 10.0 rebounds while anchoring the defense in the paint.
Tyler Herro provides another primary scoring option for Miami. The guard is producing 21.6 points per game and shooting 48.6 percent from the field in 29 appearances.
Miami’s rotation gets a boost with several players listed as available. Jaime Jaquez Jr., Nikola Jovic and Pelle Larsson are all cleared to play despite recent injuries.
Jaquez has been particularly valuable in a versatile role. The wing averages 14.9 points, 5.1 rebounds and 4.7 assists while helping the offense move through multiple positions.
The matchup also carries standings implications in the Eastern Conference. Boston enters with a 50–25 record and sits second in the conference, while Miami is ninth at 40–36.
The Celtics have controlled the season series so far. Boston won the first three meetings, including a narrow 98–96 win in February.
Miami will try to reverse that trend at home. The Heat defeated the Philadelphia 76ers 119–109 in their most recent game, while Boston is coming off a 112–102 loss to the Atlanta Hawks.
