Tag: 2024 nba playoffs first round

Celtics Lab 255: Boston cancels Heat culture to advance to East semis to face Magic or Cavs

What do we need to reflect on from this series, and what else is coming down the pike?

The Boston Celtics got their revenge against the Miami Heat for sending them fishing in the 2023 Eastern Conference Finals, instead kicking off the Heat’s postseason with a Game 5 win over Miami in their 2024 NBA Eastern Conference first round series.

The 118-84 blowout was a fitting end for longtime Celtics broadcaster Mike Gorman’s 43-year career, and now Boston waits for star center Kristaps Porzingis to heal up and for a winner to emerge from the Cleveland Cavaliers – Orlando Magic series. The Celtics will face the winner perhaps as soon as next Sunday (May 5). What do we need to reflect on from this series, and what else is coming down the pike?

The hosts of the CLNS Media “Celtics Lab” podcast got together postgame to get us up to speed with all things Boston and postseason.


We also give Celtics president Brad Stevens his flowers for a well-earned Executive of the Year award.


The Celtics Lab podcast is brought to you by Prize Picks and Gametime.

If you enjoy this pod, check out the “How Bout Them Celtics,” “First to the Floor,” and the many other New England sports podcasts available on the CLNS Media network.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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PHOTOS: Boston vs. Miami – Celtics obliterate Heat 118-84 in Game 5

Let’s take a look at some of the best moments captured in images in the Celtics’ Game 5 of their first round series vs. the Heat.

The Boston Celtics defeated the Miami Heat 118-84 in Game 5 Wednesday night. With the win, Boston advances to the second round of the postseason and will face either the Cleveland Cavaliers or the Orlando Magic. This is the seventh time in eight seasons, Boston has won at least one series in the playoffs.

Tonight’s outcome was never in question. Boston was red-hot from offense from the jump, especially from deep. The Celtics ended the game 16-for-30 from deep. On the other side of the action, Miami couldn’t generate enough offense to keep pace, and their defense lacked the intensity and physicality we saw in earlier games. A 34-point final margin is tied for the third-biggest victory in franchise postseason history.

Let’s take a look at some of the best moments captured in images in the Celtics’ Game 5 of their first round series vs. the Heat.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Al Horford on his ire towards Bam Adebayo after flagrant foul in Game 4

Horford spoke to the media about the moment his ire broke through his usually calm demeanor.

Veteran Boston Celtics big man Al Horford got uncharacteristically angry after Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo committed a flagrant 1 foul on star Celtics forward Jayson Tatum. The act, hurting his ankle late in the Celtics – Heat Game 4 of their 2024 Eastern Conference first round series this past Wednesday (April 29), and a Derrick White push saw the Florida alum shove Adebayo and get a tech of his own.

Horford spoke to the media about the moment his ire broke through his usually calm demeanor, and what he thinks about how the Heat have been playing in this series so far.

The folks behind the CLNS Media “Celtics All-Access” YouTube channel put together a clip of his response to questions about that exchange. Check it out below!

If you enjoy this pod, check out the “How Bout Them Celtics,” “First to the Floor,” and the many other New England sports podcasts available on the CLNS Media network.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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The first round series between the Celtics and Heat heads back to Boston for Game 5

The Celtics will be without the services of star big man Kristaps Porzingis after his calf injury in Game 4.

Battered a bit more but far from beaten, the Boston Celtics make the trip back to their home court of TD Garden for Game 5 of their first round series of the 2024 NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs vs. the Miami Heat in what is a potential elimination game for Miami.

The Celtics will be without the services of star big man Kristaps Porzingis after his calf injury in Game 4, but the Heat will be without many of their best players. The contest could also be the last call of longtime Boston broadcaster Mike Gorman, should the Celtics win. What else do we need to know about this game?

The hosts of the CLNS Media “How Bout Them Celtics!” and “Talkin’ Cs” podcasts, Jack Simone, Sam LaFrance, and Bobby Krivitsky, took a closer look at Game 5 on a recent episode. Check it out below!

If you enjoy this pod, check out the “How Bout Them Celtics,” “First to the Floor,” and the many other New England sports podcasts available on the CLNS Media network.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Was Kristaps Porzingis’ good spirits with the Celtics after his calf injury a sign of its severity?

Porzingis did not return to the game and was seen leaving in a walking boot.

The Boston Celtics now have full control of their Eastern Conference playoff series vs. the Miami Heat, as the top-seeded Celtics defeated the eighth-seeded Heat 102-88 to take a 3-1 lead. A key concern emerged in the second quarter when Kristaps Porzingis sustained an injury. The incident started with Porzingis turning his ankle while chasing an offensive rebound, continued as he stumbled amid a screening action above the 3-point line, and culminated with him unable to move as the Celtics transitioned back on defense.

Porzingis, visibly distressed, put both hands on his head and stumbled to the bench while play continued. He covered his face with his uniform and promptly exited to the locker room. The Celtics later described the injury as a calf sprain. Meanwhile, ESPN reported that an on-site test for an Achilles tear came back negative, though further imaging was scheduled for Tuesday at home. Porzingis did not return to the game and was seen leaving in a walking boot.

CLNS Media’s Josue Pavon and Bobby Manning report from the Kaseya Center following Boston’s Game 4 win in Miami.

If you enjoy this pod, check out the “How Bout Them Celtics,” “First to the Floor,” and the many other New England sports podcasts available on the CLNS Media network.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Do the Boston Celtics need to lean into their defense to win?

The topic of whether defense is the key to Boston’s continued success is front and center.

Do the Boston Celtics need to lean into their defense to win in the 2024 NBA Playoffs? The topic of whether defense is the key to Boston’s continued success is front and center after the stark differences between Game 2 of their Eastern Conference first round series and Games 1 and 3.

CLNS Media reporters Bobby Manning and Josue Pavon invited Noa Dalzell from Celtics Blog to join them on “The Garden Report” podcast to dive into this discussion. The trio explored how Boston’s defensive strategy contributed to their dominant Game 3 performance, and discussed if maintaining this defensive intensity is crucial for overcoming the Heat in the remaining games of the series.

Take a look at the clip embedded below to heat what they had to say.

If you enjoy this pod, check out the “How Bout Them Celtics,” “First to the Floor,” and the many other New England sports podcasts available on the CLNS Media network.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Kristaps Porzingis is set to miss at least the next several games for the Boston Celtics – now what?

How long do we think KP will be out?

Fans of the Boston Celtics now know what it was that caused star Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis to look down at his calf and need to be subbed out of the game, despite no contact from any other players. A strained soleus in his calf will have the Latvian big man sidelined for at least the next several games for Boston according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

How long do we think KP will be out? Who will Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla lean on to soak up his minutes moving forward? Will this put undue pressure on veteran big man Al Horford? Or does Mazzulla have enough trust to distribute most of Porzingis’ floor time elsewhere?

The hosts of the CLNS Media “Celtics Lab” podcast did a deep dive on what the injury means for the team moving forward postgame. Check it out below!

If you enjoy this pod, check out the “How Bout Them Celtics,” “First to the Floor,” and the many other New England sports podcasts available on the CLNS Media network.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Was Boston’s Jayson Tatum right to downplay Bam Adebayo’s physical play for Miami?

“I don’t want to make it a bigger deal than what it is,” said Tatum postgame.

Bam Adebayo received a flagrant one foul, and Al Horford was given a technical after a foul on Jayson Tatum during a shot attempt after the whistle had blown in the Boston Celtics‘ Game 4 win over the Miami Heat. Tatum, visibly affected, grabbed his left ankle but managed to hit both free throws, effectively sealing the game.

Tatum addressed the incident post-game: “You all saw it. I shot the ball afterward, I landed on his foot. Same ankle that I hurt in Game 7 last year, that I hurt against the Warriors, that I tweaked against the Clippers. It didn’t feel good at first… I don’t want to make it a bigger deal than what it is… moved on, kept playing… I was mad because it’s the same ankle, but I’ve tweaked my ankle 1,000 times playing this game, so it was throbbing, but the adrenaline made it wear off I guess.”

CLNS Media’s Bobby Manning and Josue Pavon discuss after Boston’s 102-88 win to take a 3-1 lead in their opening-round NBA playoff series.

If you enjoy this pod, check out the “How Bout Them Celtics,” “First to the Floor,” and the many other New England sports podcasts available on the CLNS Media network.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Did the Boston Celtics’ Game 4 convince you that Miami’s Bam Adebayo is a dirty player?

Heck, if we could blame Kristaps Porzingis’ calf issues on the Heat, we would.

The Miami Heat have a reputation for physical play that borders on being dirty, and if you play them enough times in a row, it’s a lot easier to come to such a conclusion about their intent on the floor. And in the Boston Celtics’ recent Game 4 win over the Heat in their first round 2024 NBA Playoffs series, it would be hard to take another conclusion for many.

From the play that saw Miami big man Bam Adebayo shove Derrick White to the ground in dead ball action, to the attempt to “guard’ star Celtics forward Jayson Tatum taking a shot on his basket that saw him put his feet in Tatum’s airspace seconds later, there’s plenty to point to in this series. Heck, if we could blame Kristaps Porzingis’ calf issues on the Heat, we would.

The hosts of the CLNS Media “How Bout Them Celtics!” podcast, Jack Simone and Sam LaFrance, took a closer look at Miami’s physical play in Game 4. Check it out below!

If you enjoy this pod, check out the “How Bout Them Celtics,” “First to the Floor,” and the many other New England sports podcasts available on the CLNS Media network.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Celtics: Kristaps Porzingis to miss Game 5 with soleus strain

The Celtics have officially ruled Kristaps Porzingis out for Game 5 against the Heat.

The Boston Celtics announced big man Kristaps Porzingis will miss Game 5 of the opening round of the 2024 NBA postseason against the Miami Heat Wednesday night. Porzingis left Game 4 with an apparent calf injury and did not return to action.

The team officially dubbed the injury a soleus strain, the severity of which is unknown at this time. The soleus is a muscle in the calf that helps support the work of the Achilles tendon. A strain here can be painful, but more importantly, can lead to more severe injury elsewhere in the body as the rest of the leg compensates. Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo is dealing with a similar injury as well.

How long Porzingis is sidelined depends on the nature of the strain and how conservative the team is willing to be. According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Porzingis is expected to miss at least a few games. Boston will look to close out their series against the Heat at home on Wednesday before facing either the Orlando Magic or the Cleveland Cavaliers in the next round of the postseason.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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