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Boston Celtics

Boston Celtics

Boston Celtics

The Heat have ruled out one of their top scorers for Game 5

By Alex Barth
MIAMI, FLORIDA - MAY 23: Jimmy Butler #22 and Gabe Vincent #2 of the Miami Heat watch from the bench against the Boston Celtics during the fourth quarter in game four of the Eastern Conference Finals at Kaseya Center on May 23, 2023 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)

Heat starting point guard Gabe Vincent played a major role in getting his team a 3-0 (now 3-1) series lead in the Eastern Conference Finals. As they Heat try to close the series out in Game 5 on Thursday night though, they’ll have to do it without him.

On Thursday morning,

Development: Miami's Gabe Vincent is listed out for Game 5 vs. Boston tonight with an ankle sprain.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) May 25, 2023" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Shams Charania of The Athletic was the first to report the Heat have ruled Vincent out for Game 5 with an ankle sprain. Vincent suffered the injury late in the Celtics’ Game 4 win when landing after a shot.

  • Through four games of the Eastern Conference Finals, Vincent has been an absolute problem for the Celtics. So far in this series, he ranks third on the team in scoring averaging 17.5 points per game, while shooting 57.9 percent from the floor and 50 percent from three. During the regular season Vincent averaged just 9.4 points per game, and 11.5 over the Heat’s first two playoff series.

    Vincent’s injury tests what is already a thin backcourt for Miami. Both Tyler Herro and Victor Oladipo haven’t played in this series after suffering injuries earlier in the playoffs. That leaves the heat with Kyle Lowry and Max Strus at the guard positions, with Caleb Martin and Duncan Robinson as hybrid guard/forwards.

  • Lowry will likely step into the starting point guard role for Game 5. He’s one of the few Heat players who hasn’t exceeded expectations in this series. In four games coming off the bench he’s averaged 25.2 minutes, scoring 6.8 points with 4.5 assists and 1.3 steals per game. His shooting percentages are levels below what Vincent has giving the Heat, at 35.5 percent from the floor and 33.3 percent from three.

    This could have the Heat leaning more on Strus, who has been the team’s starting two-guard throughout the series. He’s been their fifth-leading scorer averaging 11.3 points in 30.6 minutes per game while shooting 47.2 percent from the floor and 34.8 percent from deep.

    Can the Celtics take advantage of Vincent’s absence and force a Game 6? Game 5 gets underway at 8:30 p.m. Thursday night, with coverage beginning at 8 on 98.5 The Sports Hub and the Sports Hub BetMGM Celtics Radio Network.

  • Alex Barth is a writer and digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Thoughts? Comments? Questions? Looking for a podcast guest? Let him know on Twitter @RealAlexBarth or via email at [email protected].

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