Miami Heat Game 2 Injury Report: Starting Lineups, Kyle Lowry, PJ Tucker, & Robert Williams’ Injury Status
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The Eastern Conference Finals matchup between the Boston Celtics and Miami Heat has not given us the close, buzzer-beating games we all hoped for; however, the stakes are the same: a chance to go to the NBA Finals and compete for a championship. Health can make the difference between being an early exit team and a championship team. If you ask the Milwaukee Bucks, they would probably tell you the same thing. For Game Three, there are several players listed on the injury report, and the two most significant question marks are Kyle Lowry and PJ Tucker. Head coach Erik Spoelstra said on Saturday morning that both players would warm up with the intent of playing, so stay tuned for further updates regarding their injuries. If they both can play, the Miami Heat could steal one in Boston.
Miami Heat Injury Report
- Kyle Lowry – Questionable (Hamstring)
- PJ Tucker – Questionable (Knee)
- Max Strus – Questionable (Hamstring)
- Gabe Vincent – Questionable (Hamstring)
Boston Celtics Injury Report
- Robert Williams III – Questionable (Knee)
PJ Tucker and Kyle Lowry Game Two Availability
Saturday morning has been eventful. Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra said that the plan for tonight’s Game Three in Boston would hopefully include Kyle Lowry and PJ Tucker, who many worried would be out for a significant duration due to a knee injury. Luckily, the MRIs presumably showed no significant damage, and Tucker could give it a go in Game Three. Kyle Lowry has been out for most of the playoffs, missing eight of the 13 playoff games thus far due to that lingering hamstring injury. He toughed it out for Games Three and Four, but he was limited, hobbling up and down the court for most of his minutes played.
There is still a hurdle to climb before it’s official that Lowry and Tucker will be available. The major hurdle is the pregame warmups. If Lowry and Tucker get through the warmups and still feel like they can play in the most competitive basketball league in the world, then the Heat will be at full strength. However, there is still the distinct possibility that Lowry or Tucker does not feel at 100% strength hours before the game and becomes a late scratch.
Miami Heat Starting Lineup
PG: Gabe Vincent
SG: Max Strus
SF: Jimmy Butler
PF: PJ Tucker
C: Bam Adebayo
Game 3 Heat Vs. Celtics Betting Odds Impact
Currently, the spread for Game Three of the Eastern Conference Finals sits at six points in favor of the home team Boston Celtics. Boston lost Game One without Marcus Smart (foot sprain) and Al Horford (health and safety protocols) but was able to bounce back in a significant way with a 25-point win against the Heat in Game Two. Meanwhile, Derrick White missed Game Two due to the birth of his child.
The six-point spread is a bit dangerous right now for several reasons. First, Lowry and Tucker may be able to play and make a high impact on the game; this team, when fully healthy, has been incredibly tough to beat all season. However, there is a distinct possibility that they don’t play as Tucker’s injury just happened last game, and Lowry has missed most of the playoffs already. Additionally, Robert Williams was just downgraded to questionable with right knee soreness. This would be a massive hit on the C’s, who thought they got their starting center and rim protector back for good. Live betting or waiting until minutes before tip to bet may be the best look here because there are too many injuries hanging in the balance that could alter the outcome of this game.
