MIAMI — The Celtics will return to full strength on Thursday night for a highly anticipated game against the Miami Heat. On Wednesday afternoon, the team published a clean injury report, removing Kristaps Porzingis (right knee irritation) and Oshae Brissett (back spasms) after they missed Monday’s win over the Mavericks in Dallas.
Joe Mazzulla announced on Wednesday afternoon that the complete club was able to practice on a day off in Miami. Porzingis had one of his greatest performances of the season on Sunday night against Houston, scoring 32 points and blocking five shots in Boston’s nine-point victory. However, the squad has been cautious with their star centre on back-to-backs all year, with only three sets played. The squad is 10-2 in the 12 games he has missed this season, including five straight wins.
Boston is 18-4 this season when their regular starting lineup is intact, including a victory over the Heat in the Celtics’ home opening in October. Miami will have a different look this season after obtaining Terry Rozier in a trade with the Hornets on Tuesday for Kyle Lowry and a future first-round pick.
Rozier is slated to make his Miami debut against the Grizzlies on Wednesday night, but the Heat may be undermanned versus the Celtics in other areas. Jaime Jaquez Jr., a standout rookie, is projected to miss the game due to a groin ailment, while another rotation player (Hayword Highsmith) has a foot issue. Miami might also be shorthanded if they decide to rest any older veterans for the second half of their back-to-back after playing Memphis on Wednesday night.
The Celtics will attempt to move to 3-0 on their road trip with a win on Thursday night, which should be their most difficult test of the trip.
“It’s fun. “Every game is competitive,” Derrick White remarked about the contest. “They are always a good team, and playing here is especially enjoyable and challenging. So we’ll be prepared to go.”
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