The NBA playoffs have reached their penultimate series with the Boston Celtics visiting the Miami Heat for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals, scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET on Tuesday. The Western Conference Finals between the Dallas Mavericks and Golden State Warriors will tip-off on Wednesday.
Ahead of Tuesday’s opener, the Celtics announced point guard Marcus Smart is questionable with a midfoot sprain. Smart has been bothered by injuries this season, including missing time against the Milwaukee Bucks with a quadricep injury. However, he was returning to form and in Game 7 had 11 points and 10 assists after a 21-point performance in Game 6.
He’s having a career year as the full-time point guard under first-year coach Ime Udoka. The 28-year-old averaged 12.1 points and a career-best 5.9 assists per game during the regular season.
On the other side, 14-year coach Erik Spoelstra expects a series that will turn back the clock.
“Both teams hang their hats on rock-solid team defense, and making multiple efforts and being disciplined to schemes,” Spoelstra told reporters. “So it will be a lot of plays and things in the margins. That’s what you expect. Really, we were the two best teams in the East most of the season and it’s fitting that we’re moving into the conference finals.”
Boston ranked as the top defensive team in the NBA during the regular season. They allowed 104.5 points per game and held teams to 43.4% shooting from the floor and 33.9% on 3-pointers — all ranking No. 1 in the league.
Miami ranked fourth in points allowed per game, giving up 105.6 points per contest. They also were fourth in holding teams to 44.7% from the field and were second in forcing teams to convert just 33.9% of 3-point attempts.
Familiar face back to bench
Steve Kerr tested positive for COVID-19 two hours before Game 4 against the Memphis Grizzlies. The Warriors would go on to win the series and booked another conference finals trip. As the Mavericks were securing their spot, Kerr was cleared to return to the team facilities and begin preparing.
Kerr was reportedly experiencing minor symptoms on his way to the arena, called associate head coach Mike Brown — who has been named Sacramento Kings head coach — to inform him he may be in charge, and then tested positive.
“I felt that if I passed this on to the team, I’ll never forgive myself,” Kerr said.
Golden State finished third in the Western Conference and with a veteran core of Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green, they’re nearing the end of their dynasty as we know it.
Not finished yet
Chris Paul will go down as one of the best point guards of all time. Yet he’s still without an NBA championship. The 10-time All-NBA selection and nine-time All-Defensive selection said he will return for an 18th season.
Paul, 37, seemed to be the missing piece for a Phoenix Suns team that won a franchise-record 64 games en route to the No. 1 seed in the West, but bowed out of the playoffs after blowing a 3-2 series lead to Dallas. Paul averaged 14.7 points and a league-best 10.8 assists per game during the regular season. He also carried the load as Devin Booker missed time during the opening playoff series against the New Orleans Pelicans.
Rondo in trouble?
A woman filed for a protective order against veteran point guard Rajon Rondo, according to ESPN. She alleges Rondo said “you’re dead” and destroyed property after she asked a boy who was playing video games with Rondo to fold laundry.
The woman is the mother of Rondo’s kids, per media reports. The 36-year-old veteran is a 16-year NBA veteran playing last season with the Los Angeles Lakers and Cleveland Cavaliers.
The NBA said late Monday it is investigating the incident.
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