2. Bench Performance
With so many rotation players ailing, both teams are going to need their supporting cast to step up and provide some big performances. Miami has one of the best benches in the NBA and this could be their biggest advantage in the series.
The Sixth Man of the Year resides in South Beach in Tyler Herro. Victor Oladipo has been rounding into shape and forced his way into the rotation off the bench with his performance, replacing Duncan Robinson.
Gabe Vincent comes in with the second unit and Lowry plays. Caleb Martin and Dewayne Dedmon both offer solid minutes off the bench as well.
Miami knows what they are going to get from their bench, while the Celtics’ performances are a little inconsistent at times. Grant Williams has been great and Derrick White has done well running the second unit. Payton Pritchard has emerged, but they will be relying more on their starting five than the Miami Heat has to.
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If Smart is sidelined for multiple games, the Celtics’ bench is weakened even further. Boston is going to need someone else to step up in the backcourt in his absence, possibly Aaron Nesmith or if Udoka wants to go bigger with Daniel Theis.
