Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
Miami Heat Dealt Devastating Injury News Ahead of Game 5 vs. Celtics
Before Game 4 against the Heat, Marcus Smart channeled Kevin Millar, declaring, "Don't let us get one."
The Celtics got on the board that night, returning to the identity that best suits them, with defense setting the table for their success. They outscored Miami 66-43 in the second half of their first victory of the Eastern Conference Finals, earning a 116-99 win.
Post-game, when asked what his message is as the series shifts back to Boston, Smart stated, "Now, we've just gotta go win another one. That's all that matters. We take it one game at a time. We understand the odds are stacked against us, but we're a team that believes in us no matter what, and we've just got to keep going, and all that matters is the next game."
With the Celtics returning to the role of hosts, extending the series requires winning in the building that's surprisingly giving them the most trouble. Boston is 10-11 at TD Garden the last two postseasons, suffering the most losses in a two-year playoff span in NBA history, per ESPN Stats & Info.
Making that task easier to accomplish is the news that starting guard Gabe Vincent is out for Thursday's matchup.
The former UC Santa Barbara Gaucho's outstanding postseason run has extended to the Eastern Conference Finals, generating 17.5 points while shooting 57.9 percent from the field, including taking 5.5 threes per contest and converting them at a 50 percent clip.
But Vincent sprained his left ankle in the fourth quarter of Game 4 following an awkward landing after Jayson Tatum blocked his attempt at a three from the corner.
The four-time All-Star targeted him on a switch at the other end and knocked down a shot from beyond the arc for three of his game-high 33 points. The hosts then took a timeout to sub out Vincent.
He returned about three minutes later, but that lasted for 1:15 due in part to the Heat trailing 105-89 with 3:40 left.
And with only one day between contests, plus travel, Vincent's ankle sprain hasn't healed enough to give him the necessary mobility to play in Game 5.
That means for Miami to advance to the NBA Finals on Thursday, the visitors will need Kyle Lowry, who's been coming off the bench, to step up.
Also, expect the Heat to put the ball in Jimmy Butler's and Bam Adebayo's hands even more. They need the latter to be aggressive about looking to score. His impact as a screener, including off the ball, also matters even more with Vincent out.
Miami will also call on Duncan Robinson even more. The New England native (York, Maine) is drilling 42.1 percent of the 4.8 threes he's hoisting this series.
While the Heat are plenty capable of ending the Eastern Conference Finals in Game 5 on Boston's home floor, Vincent's absence is a significant blow to an already thin rotation missing Tyler Herro and Victor Oladipo.
Further Reading
Film Room: Grant Williams' Value on Full Display in Celtics' Game 4 Win vs. Heat
Celtics Stars Speak on Team Sticking Together Down 3-0: 'We Didn't Want That to Define Us'
Jaylen Brown Responds to Rumors of Disconnect in Celtics Locker Room
Looking to do the Impossible, Celtics Channel Kevin Millar: 'Don't Let Us Get One'
Trading Jaylen Brown is a Gamble the Celtics are Better Off Not Making
Celtics Address 'Letting Go of the Rope' After Game 1 Loss to Heat
