Tag: 2024 nba playoffs first round

Where does the impact of Game 4 vs. the Miami Heat leave the Boston Celtics’ postseason hopes?

A five-game closeout is very much on the table despite the Porzingis injury.

Ahead of Game 4 of the Boston Celtics‘ 2024 NBA Eastern Conference first round playoffs series with the Miami Heat, a number of questions were in need of answers. Can the Celtics win their second straight playoff game in Miami? Will they set themselves up to close out the series in 5 games? Will star Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis continue his fight against the Heat’s annoying physicality?

Regarding the latter, not for some time after picking up a concerning calf injury that could have KP miss some time. A five-game closeout is also very much on the table despite the Porzingis injury, and they absolutely won two games on Miami’s home court. Now the question is how long the Latvian big man will be out, and how long the Cleveland Cavaliers – Orlando Magic series will run.

The hosts of the CLNS Media “First to the Floor” podcast, Jake Issenberg, Ben Vallis, and Wayne Spooney, took a closer look at all of this on the episode embedded below. Check it out!

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 Boston Celtics have pushed the Miami Heat to the brink of elimination

But the win came at a cost.

The Boston Celtics have pushed the Miami Heat to the brink of elimination in their 2024 NBA Eastern Conference first round playoffs series, taking a commanding 3-1 series lead vs. the Heat in Game 4 on this past Monday (April 29) night.

A career-high 38 points off 8 made shots from beyond the arc by star Celtics point guard Derrick White made all the difference for Boston, but the win came at a cost. The Celtics also lost big man Kristaps Porzingis in the game with a non-contact calf injury still to be examined by MRI to determine the seriousness of it.

The hosts of the CLNS Media “Garden Report” podcast, Bobby Manning, Josue Pavon, Jimmy Toscano, A. Sherrod Blakely and John Zannis, sat down to talk over what it all means for Boston’s postseason hopes. Take a look at the clip embedded below to hear 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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Celtics Lab 254: Boston wins Game 4 vs. Miami, but lose Kristaps Porzingis; what happens next?

How does Porzingis’ injury impact the rest of the series vs. the Heat and beyond?

The Boston Celtics won Game 4 of their 2024 NBA Eastern Conference first round series with the Miami Heat to take a commanding 3-1 lead at Kaseya Center on Monday night, but the win came at a cost. The Celtics lost star big man Kristaps Porzingis to what is being described as a calf strain, and could miss substantial time as a result.

How does Porzingis’ injury impact the rest of the series vs. the Heat? Assuming Boston advances (and we should), how do the team’s rotations change in terms of minutes distribution of frontcourt minutes change — and who gets them?

The hosts of the CLNS Media “Celtics Lab” podcast took a deep dive into Boston’s Game 4 results and what it means for the team moving forward. We also take a quick look around the league at some other developments that may impact Boston as well, focusing on what we want to see in Game 5.


The Celtics Lab podcast is brought to you by Prize Picks and the Game Time app.


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 grab 104-88 Game 4 win over Heat

Let’s take a look at some of the best moments captured in images in the Celtics’ Game 4 of their first round series vs. the Heat.

The Boston Celtics defeated the Miami Heat in Game 4 of the first round of the 2024 NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs. Boston now has a chance to close out the series against their rival on their home court of TD Garden this next Wednesday (May 1) night.

It was another strong offensive showing for the Celtics, and Derrick White was especially good. He had a career-night and led the team with 38 points. Boston’s defense was the main story, and outside of a few easy baskets in the fourth quarter, Miami struggled to find any offensive mojo during the game.

Let’s take a look at some of the best moments captured in images in the Celtics’ Game 4 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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Kristaps Porzingis leaves Game 4 during second quarter with apparent calf injury

Boston Celtics big man Kristaps Porzingis left Game 4 during second quarter with apparent calf injury.

Boston Celtics big man Kristaps Porzingis left the court during the second quarter Monday night with an apparent calf injury as Boston faced the Miami Heat on the road for Game 4 of the opening round of the 2024 NBA playoffs. He was ruled doubtful to return by the team shortly thereafter, but according to Adrian Wojnarowski it appears Porzingis did not suffer an achilles injury.

Porzingis missed 25 games during the regular season for Boston thanks to various issues, including a nagging calf problem for much of the year. For his career, the Latvian big man has dealt with a number of major injuries, including a torn ACL in 2018. Several plays prior to when he finally check himself out of the game, Porzingis appeared to be uncomfortable.

It’s unclear at the time of this writing the full nature and extent of the injury. You can watch the moment Porzingis left the game on YouTube thanks to Chaz NBA.

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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How the Boston Celtics took back control of their first round series vs. the Miami Heat

Boston blew out Miami once again in Game 3 of the series to retake control of the first round matchup.

How did the Boston Celtics take back control of their Eastern Conference first round series with the Miami Heat? The Celtics kicked off their 2024 NBA Playoffs with a blowout win in Game 1 of the series, only to see the team give up home court advantage by dropping Game 2 at TD Garden in embarrassing fashion.

Then, in Game 3 of the series, Boston head coach Joe Mazzulla got his players to change up how they have been defending the Heat from beyond the arc, and it worked to devastating effect. Boston blew out Miami once again in Game 3 of the series to retake control of the first round matchup.

The hosts of the CLNS Media “Still Poddable” podcast, Brian Robb, Sam Packard, and Jay King, weighed in on the shift in the series 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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Will we get the good version or the bad version of the Boston Celtics vs. the Miami Heat in Game 4?

The version we saw in Games 1 and 3 were the team we expected to take the court against the Heat. But not in Game 2…

Will we get the good version or the bad version of the Boston Celtics vs. the Miami Heat in Game 4 of their 2024 NBA Eastern Conference first round series on Monday (April 29) night?

The version we saw in Games 1 and 3 were the team we expected to take the court against the Heat, given their recent postseason history. And the version we saw playing against Miami in Game 2 is exactly the version of the Celtics that Boston fans were desperate not to see again this postseason. The hosts of the CLNS Media “The Big Three NBA” podcast, A. Sherrod Blakely, Gary Washburn, and Kwani Lunis, recently took a look at the series so far on a recent episode and what it tells them about Game 4.

Take a look at the clip embedded above to hear 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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Erik Spoelstra still believes the Heat can overcome the Celtics

The Miami Heat head coach is still confident his team can beat the Boston Celtics.

The Miami Heat have become a genuine thorn in the Boston Celtics side. They eliminated the Celtics in the 2023 Eastern Conference Finals. And they almost stood in the way of Boston’s trip to the NBA Finals in 2022. Now, they’re tasked with slowing down Joe Mazzulla’s roster in the opening round of the postseason. Boston currently leads 2-1 following their win on Saturday (April 27). When speaking to the media following his team’s latest loss, Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra refused to accept that his team is outmatched. Miami is missing its star player, Jimmy Butler, along with Terry Rozier and Josh Richardson. To make matters worse for the Heat, Boston is arguably the best team in the NBA this season.
“We have our guys, we have enough to get the job done,” Spoelstra said. “We understand the challenge and that’s what our competitors love about this series. We know we have to play hard and we also have to play well.”
Boston has dominated the Heat in two of their three meetings. They will undoubtedly be expecting to have similar success when the teams face off for game four on Monday (April 29). However, Spoelstra believes his team will be ready to rise to the occasion and even out the series.
“We’ll get to work and work on getting a better version for ourselves for Monday night, which we’re fully capable of,” Spoelstra said. “We understand that. We have competitors. Nobody feels good about this in our locker room. But we also respect Boston, what they’re capable of.”
Spoelstra may be the best coach in the NBA, but his confidence is likely misplaced. Boston is the more talented team in this matchup, and that should shine through in the upcoming games. Butler’s absence has hit the Heat hard. Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on: Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6 Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ [lawrence-auto-related count=5 category=590969556]

How the Boston Celtics won Game 3 and what to expect for Game 4

How will the Heat respond?

How did the Boston Celtics change up their approach against the Miami Heat to ensure a Game 3 win in their 2024 Eastern Conference first round series with the Heat this past Saturday (April 27) night? How will the Heat respond to what Boston brought to bear in Game 4 of the series on Monday?

The hosts of the CLNS Media “First to the Floor” podcast, Jake Issenberg, Ben Vallis, and Wayne Spooney, took a look at the unsung heroes from Game 3, Jayson Tatum’s subtle brilliance, and took a look around the rest of the NBA on a recent episode.

Take a look at the clip embedded below to hear 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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What adjustments did the Boston Celtics make in Game 3 vs. the Miami Heat?

And will they be ready for Game 4?

The Boston Celtics brought the best version of their defense down to face the Miami Heat on their own home floor of Kaseya Center for Game 3, limiting the Heat to just 84 points scored in the game and shutting down their perimeter play.

What other adjustments did the Celtics make to blowout Miami, and how sustainable is this throughout the rest of the 2024 NBA Eastern Conference first round series? The hosts of the CLNS Media “First to the Floor” podcast, Jake Issenberg, Ben Vallis, and Wayne Spooney, react to Jimmy Butler’s in-game comments about Boston, and look ahead to Game 4.

Take a look at the clip embedded below to hear 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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