The Miami Heat didn’t expect to lose as they did on Thursday night.
While they knew there was a chance of them overtaken by the Boston Celtics in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals, they didn’t expect to be overwhelmed.
Sure enough, that’s what happened and the Celtics ended the pivotal game with a 127-102 victory.
It was a bad night for the Heat – made even worse by the fact that they may have lost a star player in the process.
Sources: P.J. Tucker sustained the injury early in the first quarter and attempted to play through it. With a short turnaround in this series and the matchup problems Boston presents, an absent Tucker would be devastating for Miami.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) May 20, 2022
Forward P.J. Tucker underwent an MRI on his left knee Friday following an injury he received during the game.
Sources are telling Chris Haynes that Tucker got the injury early in the first quarter of Thursday’s matchup.
Anyone paying close attention to the Heat this season knows that losing Tucker could have a huge impact on the team’s chances of success.
A Defensive Mind
Tucker isn’t known for his crazy point stats – he has been averaging just 7.6 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 2.1 assists a game.
Instead, he’s known as a defensive asset for the team.
Defense is very important for the Heat, especially right now.
The Celtics are seemingly able to score from just about anywhere on the floor.
That means that Miami needs multiple ways to shut them down.
Boston is getting even more dangerous, as Al Horford and Marcus Smart have returned into the rotation after short absences.
Without Tucker, the Heat will need to find new ways to limit the ability of the Celtics.
Tucker played through his injury on Thursday night but he wasn’t his usual self and shot 2-of-6 in just 21 minutes on the floor.
Ideally, he is able to return for Game 3.
Otherwise, the Heat defense could be critically injured.
NEXT: The Heat Badly Need Kyle Lowry Back