Miami Heat: 3 hot factors vs. Gordon Hayward and his Boston Celtics

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MIAMI, FL – NOVEMBER 22: Dion Waiters #11 of the Miami Heat reacts during game against the Boston Celtics on November 22, 2017 at AmericanAirlines Arena in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Factor no. 2 – The Dion Waiters vs. Gordon Hayward battle

While Dion Waiters’ is feeling himself, as of his last game against Denver, he may have his hands full off the bench against Gordon Hayward.

The hardships that both players have gone through over the past year (Hayward more so), must be tough on the mental portion of the game, making this match up the most interesting one of the game.

Hayward told 247 Sports about his mental health below:

"“It was the most difficult thing I’ve done,” Hayward said of his rehab, via Mass Live. “I’ve been very blessed that I haven’t had an injury like this in my basketball career. And so to have to sit and watch and not be with the team and just do rehab every day was extremely difficult for me. I’ve told multiple people the hardest part of this whole process has been the mental challenge, having to just fight through not being able to play and do the tedious task of just the rehab and that whole process is something I don’t hope to have to go through again… It was a process and a journey. I’m still not there yet, but it just helped me find kind of a fight in me.”"

And while Dion didn’t go through anything similar on live television, he still with through his own difficulties as he missed a very important year of his career at 25-years-old. However, many have criticized (including myself) Waiters’ passion for the game as he was often seen playing Fortnite via Instagram live while the Heat were playing games last year, instead of being on the bench with the team.

Here’s a passionate Waiters’ answer to those critics, via Sports Illustrated:

"“I don’t do it for the internet,” Waiters says. “F— it. Some people live for that s—. It’s one big-ass circus. I could’ve been posting pictures this whole time. I won’t be their clown. I don’t play for social media. That’s coward s—.”"

While both Hayward and Waiters play two completely different games, we should all be excited to see the two players match up against one another, and also be happy for them at the same time.

Our last factor has to do with the insanity that is the Boston Celtics’ depth.

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