Andrew Wiggins, Kyle Anderson and Davion Mitchell are expected to make their Miami Heat debuts Monday night against the Boston Celtics, as the Heat play their first home game since trading Jimmy Butler last week.
Wiggins is the headliner in the package and will step into Butler’s place at small forward, while Anderson and Mitchell figure to add to coach Erik Spoelstra’s options in the rotation.
Here’s what to know for Monday night’s tilt.
How to watch Heat vs Celtics
Time: 7:30 pm ET
Location: Kaseya Center, Miami
TV: FanDuel Sports Network
Stream: NBA League Pass
Key stats
The Celtics are third in offensive rating (119.0) and fifth in defensive rating (110.0) while playing at the league’s sixth-slowest pace. They also lead the league in 3-pointers made per game (17.8) but are 24th in free-throw attempts and 29th in shots made within 8 feet of the basket.
The Heat are 19th in offensive rating (111.6) and ninth in defensive rating (111.9) while playing at the league’s fourth-slowest pace. They make the eighth-most 3-pointers per game (14.2).
Key injuries
For the Heat, Jaime Jaquez Jr. is questionable with a stomach illness while Nikola Jovic is probable with a right ankle sprain. Keshad Johnson, along with Miami’s pair of two-way players, Isaiah Stevens and Josh Christopher, are away from the team on G League assignment.
The Celtics will be without Jrue Holiday (shoulder) and Jayson Tatum (right patella) and Jaylen Brown (right knee) are listed as questionable. Newly-added Torrey Craig is out as he returns to conditioning.
Key matchup
With three of Boston’s star players on the injury report, one matchup we can count on seeing is Derrick White vs Tyler Herro. When the Heat are on offense, White will take the Herro assignment and work to run him off the 3-point line and funnel him toward Kristaps Porzingis in the paint. Expect the Heat to run plenty of pick-and-roll to try to get White switched off Herro and create a friendlier matchup.
When the Heat are on defense, rookie Kel’el Ware will have his hands full with Porzingis. The Celtics like to get their center involved earlier, so Ware will be tested right away.
Betting
The Celtics are 6.5-point favorites over the Heat.