The Heat lost Game 5 to the Celtics 118-84 and are now out of the playoffs. This is a somewhat expected, but still disappointing loss. The Heat had little chance in this series with so many injuries. The Heat need to make some drastic changes to their roster. Read on to learn more about this loss.
Heat 2024 Season Part 44: The Celtics Overwhelmed the Heat’s Defense
The Celtics were one of the best offensive teams in the league in the regular season and that showed throughout this series, particularly in Game 5. The Celtics scored 118 points on 54.5% shooting from the field and 40% shooting from three-point range. Jaylen Brown and Derrick White each scored 25 points.
Defending against the Celtics’ offense was always going to be a difficult task. However, without players like Jimmy Butler and Jaime Jaquez, it was impossible. The Celtics also dominated the rebounding battle, grabbing 56 rebounds compared to only 29 for the Heat.
All this contributed to a one-sided win for the Celtics.
The Heat’s Offense Was Terrible Once More
Offensively, the Heat were terrible, only scoring 84 points on 41% shooting from the field. Bam Adebayo scored 23 points, Tyler Herro scored 15 points, and both Caleb Martin and Thomas Bryant each scored 10 points. However, none of the other Heat players even scored in double digits.
Jimmy Butler’s absence looms large, as does Jaime Jaquez’s absence. The fact that Duncan Robinson could only played limited minutes due to a back issue is also worth noting. Terry Rozier missed the entire series against the Celtics due to a neck injury, as well. Given all of these injury issues and the Celtics’ excellent defense, the Heat’s offense didn’t do nearly enough in any game other than Game 2.
It’s Time for the Heat to Make Some Significant Roster Changes
Pat Riley, the Heat’s president, brought up availability multiple times during his end-of-season interview. However, in all honesty, the Heat had little chance of competing with any of the top teams in the Eastern Conference even if fully healthy. The Heat barely won any games against those teams in the regular season.
It’s past time for the Heat to make some significant changes to the roster. Donovan Mitchell, currently of the Cleveland Cavaliers, is one player the Heat could pursue. Mitchell would be an incredible addition to this Heat roster. In any case, the Heat need to overhaul the roster to have any chance of making a deep playoff run next season. The Heat should pursue stars that are around the same age as the Heat’s best player, Bam Adebayo, not Jimmy Butler.
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