Q: Did they not know there was a game Thursday? Or did they think it would only last five minutes? This was atrocious. – Evelyn.
A: Certainly a reasonable word choice. More likely was the Heat thought they took measure of the Celtics on Tuesday night, failing to recognize, like themselves, how different the Celtics are when closer to whole. No, this was not solely about the returns of Marcus Smart and Al Horford. But it was about the Celtics getting in lockstep as something closer to their true selves. So now the Heat know what they’re up against. And it’s formidable. And it will require at least one victory in Boston. So to get back to your thrust, the Heat very much will know there is a game Saturday. Such is the case when eyes are opened.
Q: Caleb Martin has simply lost his mojo. The skills might be there, but the mental edge, judgment, and aggressiveness are gone – P.J.
A: Hard to disagree. This is not the player who emerged from a two-way contract into a prime rotation element. Perhaps it is injury related, with Caleb Martin riding the stationary bike at times when not in the game. But the energy boosts that defined the first two-third of his season largely have been replaced by nondescript stints.
Q: Do you think Markieff Morris sees minutes in this series? I truly believe he can help stretch the floor and play defense. – Jason.
A: Barring injury, I do not. The Heat, through these playoffs, have established a rotation of what works. Now, injuries or foul trouble always can change an equation, but if someone steps in, then someone has to be taken out. And the Heat already have removed Duncan Robinson from their equation. Even with Thursday’s outcome, the Heat hardly are in desperate-to-make-a-change mode.
()