Miami takes on Boston, aims to break 5-game slide
Boston Celtics (47-19, second in the Eastern Conference) vs. Miami Heat (29-36, ninth in the Eastern Conference)
Miami; Friday, 7 p.m. EDT
BOTTOM LINE: Miami will try to end its five-game slide when the Heat take on Boston.
The Heat have gone 18-22 against Eastern Conference teams. Miami has a 3-8 record in one-possession games.
The Celtics have gone 32-11 against Eastern Conference opponents. Boston has a 6-3 record in one-possession games.
The Heat are shooting 45.8% from the field this season, 0.5 percentage points higher than the 45.3% the Celtics allow to opponents. The Celtics are shooting 46.1% from the field, 0.3% lower than the 46.4% the Heat's opponents have shot this season.
TOP PERFORMERS: Bam Adebayo is shooting 48.8% and averaging 17.6 points for the Heat. Duncan Robinson is averaging 3.4 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.
Jayson Tatum is averaging 27.2 points, 8.8 rebounds and 5.9 assists for the Celtics. Derrick White is averaging 4.6 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Heat: 3-7, averaging 108.6 points, 40.3 rebounds, 28.2 assists, 8.2 steals and 3.5 blocks per game while shooting 47.3% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 108.9 points per game.
Celtics: 7-3, averaging 114.0 points, 43.4 rebounds, 25.1 assists, 8.0 steals and 5.0 blocks per game while shooting 46.5% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 109.9 points.
INJURIES: Heat: Dru Smith: out for season (achilles), Alec Burks: out (back), Nikola Jovic: out (hand).
Celtics: Kristaps Porzingis: out (illness).
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
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