5:22pm: Williams is expected to miss tonight’s game, tweets ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
1:03pm: Heat star Kyle Lowry plans to go through his pre-game routine with the intention of returning for Game 3 on Saturday night, head coach Erik Spoelstra said, per Ira Winderman of the Sun Sentinel (Twitter link).
Spoelstra also confirmed that P.J. Tucker intends to do the same thing, as we previously relayed.
Lowry has missed Miami’s last four games due to a strained hamstring, while Tucker is dealing with a knee contusion. Lowry did return for Games 3 and 4 against Philadelphia last round, but it caused him to re-aggravate the hamstring issue. He originally suffered the injury in Game 3 of the first round against Atlanta.
The Celtics added a player to their injury report for Saturday’s contest, as Robert Williams III (knee soreness) is now questionable to play, according to ESPN’s Tim Bontemps (Twitter link). Most players listed as questionable during the playoffs wind up being activated – several Heat players have been listed as questionable to this point – but Williams has been dealing with knee issues for quite some time.
The 24-year-old underwent surgery to repair a torn meniscus at the end of March. He then suffered a bone bruise in the same knee in Game 6 of the second round, causing soreness and swelling. Williams has averaged 11.5 points, 6.5 rebounds and 2.5 blocks in 24.1 minutes through the first two games this series, shooting 8-of-11 (73%).
Provided he’s healthy and conditioned enough, Lowry should give the Heat a valuable point of attack in its starting unit. He averaged a team-high 7.5 assists per game this season and could help the club push the ball in transition, not giving Boston’s elite defense an opportunity to set up.
Williams has served as one of the best rim protectors in the league this season. He allows the Celtics to play big and slots alongside Al Horford at center, anchoring one of the best defensive groups in recent memory. He’s also been impactful as a lob threat and strong screen-setter. After Game 3, the Heat and Celtics will meet for Game 4 in Boston on Monday night, then will return to Miami for Game 5 on Wednesday.
That knee is probably going to bother Williams the rest of of the playoffs.
I don’t like this
Robert Williams III plays with knee injury.
His career could be in trouble soon.
Are you a knee specialist? Go win a championship, Robert!!
If Lowry comes back & helps Miami win a title you can go ahead & HOF him. Same goes for Jimmy
Now it just depends on how the Heat decide to play, if he plays. Who sits, will Duncan Robinson play, will they keep using dedmon, and other stuff I’ve been saying
Lowry did not look good last time he played. I hope his ego doesn’t get in the way of his responsibilities. Hamstring isn’t something that heals this easy. He will have to be time managed. Heat can not depend on him. You have to play like he’s not here. It’s Butler time. Jimmy needs to be more of a playmaker. But still needs to go for 30. Herro, Duncan, Bam HAVE to step UP and hang with Jimmy. Other players have to score ……. have to
If only it were just those things. I just dont look at it so individually. With Lowry playing, 1 of Oladipo or Vincent should probably sit. Robinson, or even Highsmith should play, and Dedmon probably shouldnt
Heat need to make shots against them. Horford and Grant Williams present matchup problems for them, so they need to adjust personnel around that
Excatly they need to make shots. Rest of team has to help Jimmy. You can’t count on Lowry. I love Lowry lol. But this is about winning. Bam is due. I’d also like to see them go big with Omer more. He got offense against Celts. Oladipo, Herro, Duncan, Bam we need points
Yurtseven is a potential option in lineups with horford and rob Williams, or both Williams, or Horford/grant williams and Theis. but I dont see them doing that
You know how you attack good team D. Is with low post scoring . Attacking the rim. Teams are too hung on shooting. Low post scoring is way to go. Then the shooting will open up.
Well ya, if those matchups happen, Yurtseven probably does make a lot of sense, but they havent explored many lineups with him and Bam this year, mostly b/c Yurtseven hasnt spaced the floor the way he showed before the regular season, but really, its b/c most teams dont use multi big lineups anymore, and if they do, they’re more versatile than the combination s I mentioned where he would make sense against
I understand what you’re saying though. I was thinking about it before game 1, and a lot more after game 2, but I dont see the Heat doing it.
What did I say about low post scoring….
Daaaaammmmmm … let’s go
Going big let’s you control gm by rebounding. They only get one shot. But you can’t let them shoot 40% from three. Smart offense and good D. And more important One shot lol. I hope Lowry is ok. Hamstring is a Biii lol
Gotta keep attacking the rim. Don’t stop that. The shooting will come from that. Heat D has to be there. And let don’t them get second shots. Jimmy will Heat up in second half. Bam can’t stop being aggressive. Can’t let up now one Q at a time. Win the 3rd Q first. Then you can close this out.
Oladipo has been great. Can’t believe this Jimmy stuff. That really hurts lol. Hate it when injuries play a role in playoffs. Can’t even watch that Smart play . Don’t see how he came back. That’s going to be swollen big time tmrw. Ankle ruined my balling.
Oladipo is a FA. He can really show teams now. Has great opportunity here.
Bam !!!! Heat up 2-1.
Oladipo played a huge role. Herro and Duncan, what is up. Big win , just gotta regroup and come to play next gm. Still like to see them go big.
That shot he made at the end of the shot clock was a shot we’ve known he can make for a couple of years, but he never takes