One of the most bizarre conference finals that we’ve seen in a while has a chance to conclude on Friday night. The Boston Celtics, up 3-2, are just one win away from advancing to their 22nd NBA Finals (17 wins). The Miami Heat will need a bounceback game to stave off elimination and play for the chance to make their seventh NBA Finals appearance (three wins).
The possible outcomes of Friday fall in the hands of the individuals who will be leaving it all out on the hardwood. We take a look at a few specific players and how their player props could dictate how the game unfolds.
In Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals, Marcus Smart broke down Miami’s Max Strus in a big way. Boston’s bench absolutely loved it.
The Boston Celtics blitzed the Miami Heat in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals, securing a huge road win as the series heads back to the Hub. The Celtics with more poise, energy, and focus than they did in Game 1. Boston welcomed back both Al Horford and Marcus Smart to the action, no doubt a huge boost to the team’s confidence and play-making. Smart in particular was the quarterback the Celtics desperately needed at the point guard position.
Smart’s return gave Boston’s offense a new purpose, but that doesn’t mean the veteran guard didn’t provide his own scoring punch. He finished with 24 points, nine rebounds, twelve assists, and three steals.
One play, in particular, highlighted Smart’s growing dominance as a point guard. In this play here, not only does Marcus Smart have Miami’s Max Strus completely fooled, but the Celtics bench absolutely loved it. Check it out:
Welcome to Layup Lines, our daily NBA newsletter where we’ll prep you for a tip-off of tonight’s action, from what to watch to bets to make. Subscribe here to get it delivered to your inbox every afternoon. I love when an NBA player is really good, …
Welcome to Layup Lines, our daily NBA newsletter where we’ll prep you for a tip-off of tonight’s action, from what to watch to bets to make. Subscribe here to get it delivered to your inbox every afternoon.
I love when an NBA player is really good, and most casual fans don’t know his name yet. It’s like when you discover a cool band before your friends.
This year, during the postseason, that guy is Miami’s Max Strus. The former DePaul standout went undrafted in 2019, but he has worked his way into an integral role for the Heat. Miami was 14-2 in games with Strus as a starter in 2021-22. Strus was 41.0% on 3-pointers in the regular season, replacing the minutes previously given to Duncan Robinson.
Strus has started each game he has played for the Heat in the postseason, and he had 19 points and 10 rebounds in his most recent game. He has found a role as a spot-up shooter and floor spacer, and he is one of the best at using off-ball screens and handoffs to score. It is awesome to see his success.
Most exciting for Strus: He becomes a free agent at the end of next season. If he continues playing as well as he has of late, the 6-foot-6 wing should see a hefty raise on his current contract’s $1.7 million average annual value.
Our own Charles Curtis offered his thoughts on what happened:
“You can only imagine the sports show talking heads getting ready to rip Draymond Green for his antics during Game 5 of the Golden State Warriors’ playoff series against the Memphis Grizzlies.
How dare he dance as the Dubs get drubbed! Where’s the intensity? Michael Jordan would never!
But that’s not the approach here. No, Dray dancing to Whoop That Trick — the song that Grizzlies fans have adopted — is totally fine, especially in light of what Steph Curry said before Game 5. In a way, they’re both respecting Memphis fans!”
In retrospect, maybe it wasn’t the brightest idea for Curry to invoke the song’s name before the game.
One to Watch
Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
76ers(-2.5, -140) vs. Heat (+115), O/U 206.5, 7:00 PM ET
This series has shown how much home court advantage matters, and I’m fairly sure that’s why the oddsmakers have Philadelphia favorited in Game 6 at Wells Fargo Center.
Miami (3-2) leads the series and could close it out tonight, but I’m picking Philly to take this into a Game 7.
Who’s in and out?
(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
— Heat: Kyle Lowry (hamstring) is out and PJ Tucker (calf), Gabe Vincent (knee), Max Strus (hamstring), Caleb Martin (ankle), and Tyler Herro (ankle) are all probable vs. Philly
— 76ers: Mattise Thybile (foot) is questionable and Joel Embiid (face) is probable vs. Miami
— Mavericks: Reggie Bullock (knee) is probable against the Suns
— Suns: Joe Crowder (shoulder) is probable against Dallas
Shootaround
(Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
— Top free agency destinations for Tyus Jones if he leaves the Grizzlies this offseason
— The NBA has new Conference Finals MVP trophies and, no, that’s not a weird thing
— Heat’s Jimmy Butler opens up on friendship with Sixers star Joel Embiid
— HoopsHype compiled all the MVP votes of NBA legends
Gannett may earn revenue from Tipico for audience referrals to betting services. Tipico has no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. See Tipico.com for Terms and Conditions. 21+ only. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA).
The Heat held the Celtics to just 15 points in the fourth quarter en route to an impressive 106-98 victory at TD Garden.
The Boston Celtics (47-29) hosted the Miami Heat (48-28) on Wednesday night. Boston hoped to right its wrongs from a loss to the Raptors on Monday. Miami intended to build upon its victory over the Kings on Monday. The Heat held the Celtics to just 15 points in the fourth quarter en route to an impressive 106-98 victory at TD Garden.
Jimmy Butler and Kyle Lowry combined to score 47 points on 17-for-33 shooting and commit just 3 turnovers.
Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown led the way for Boston, combining for 51 points on 18-for-39 shooting, 15 rebounds, 12 assists, and 7 turnovers.
