By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
The Miami Heat and Boston Celtics will collide in a win-or-go-home Game 7 Sunday. Meanwhile, the Golden State Warriors were crowned Western Conference champions on Thursday and will take on the Eastern Conference champions after a one-week break, next Thursday.
Well-rested, the team guided by Steve Kerr will host both Game 1 and Game 2 at Chase Center. Game 3 and Game 4 will be on the road. If necessary, the home venue will alternate between San Francisco and Boston or Miami from Game 5 through Game 7.
NBA Finals schedule:
Game 1: Thursday, June 2 (3/6, 03:00 CET)
Game 2: Sunday, June 5 (6/6, 02:00 CET)
Game 3: Wednesday, June 8 (9/6, 03:00 CET)
Game 4: Friday, June 10 (11/6, 03:00 CET)
Game 5: Monday, June 13 (14/6, 03:00 CET)*
Game 6: Thursday, June 16 (17/6, 03:00 CET)*
Game 7: Sunday, June 19 (20/6, 02:00 CET)*
*if necessary
At the end of the 2022 NBA Playoffs best-of-seven series opposite the Dallas Mavericks, Otto Porter Jr. (left foot), Andre Iguodala (neck), Gary Payton II (left elbow), and James Wiseman (right knee) were all sidelined. Moving forward, Porter and Payton are likely to be cleared to play in Game 1 of the NBA Finals. However, Iguodala’s status remains unclear and Wiseman was ruled out for the remainder of the 2021-22 season in late March.
Besides the mental impact of surviving a grueling best-of-seven series going the distance for either the Heat or Celtics, both sides have also been dealing with multiple injury issues of their own over the postseason. Marcus Smart (right ankle) and Robert Williams III (left knee) are listed as questionable for Game 7 alongside sidelined rookie Sam Hauser (right shoulder).
On the opposite end, Tyler Herro (left groin), Kyle Lowry (left hamstring), Max Strus (right hamstring), P.J. Tucker (left knee), and Gabe Vincent (left hamstring) are all questionable. In addition, Jimmy Butler has inflammation in his right knee and twisted his ankle late in Game 6, but is not featured in the injury report.
Meanwhile, the Heat were fined, as announced by the NBA.
Per the press release: “The Miami Heat organization has been fined $25,000 for violating league rules regarding team bench decorum, it was announced today by Byron Spruell, President, League Operations.
On multiple occasions, several players stood for an extended period in Miami’s team bench area, stood away from the team bench, and were on, encroaching upon or entering the playing court during live game action in the Heat’s 111-103 win over the Boston Celtics in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals on May 27 at TD Garden.”
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