The Miami Heat are in probably the toughest juncture of their 2023-24 season. They face the league-leading Boston Celtics in the first-round post-season series. Albeit, while facing the absences of Jimmy Butler and other key players. The toll was significant in Game 1 when Boston cruised for a 20-point win. Now, as the Florida team had another tough matchup on the road, it seems like their odds remain the same; and this time – with even more pressure.

According to the latest Miami Heat injury report, Jimmy Butler, Josh Richardson, and Terry Rozier remain out of the Game 2 scheduled for tonight. With that, Duncan Robinson, who was restricted due to back issues, will be available for the game.

Butler suffered a sprained MCL in his right knee during the Heat’s play-in game against Joel Embiid’s Philadelphia 76ers. Despite immediately taking to the ground, and clinching his knee, Butler returned to play of majority of the game. However, he was consistently limping throughout the match, trying to bolster Miami’s playoff chances. With that, several sources cite a question mark behind his possible return in Miami’s ongoing series.

For Rozier, Spo said, We’ll continue to treat him day to day before Game 1, and it seems like there still is no timetable for his return. On the other hand, Richardson’s season came to an end when he underwent a right shoulder procedure to repair instability in March.

What will the Miami Heat’s lineup look like in Butler’s absence?

“I know the coaching staff is going to work really hard to figure out the game plan,” Jaime Jaquez said before pointing out that a 2-day gap is more than enough to come up stronger in Game 2. With that, as the Heat are essentially playing the same roster as Game 1, they are projected to start with Bam Adebayo (C), Jaime Jaquez (F), Nikola Jovic (F), Caleb Martin (G), and Tyler Herro (G).

Boston, on the other hand, might be missing key rotational players themselves. Derrick White (ankle), their wildcard, and their defensive juggernaut in Jrue Holiday (knee) are deemed probable. The two logged in 33 minutes in the previous game. White added 20 points on a swift 60% shooting while Jrue helped put the clamps on the under-manned Heat.

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With that, the current lineup for Boston remains uncertain. If White and Jrue fail to partake in Game 2, the Celtics will come up with a game-time decision with Kristaps Porziņģis (C), Jayson Tatum (F) and Jaylen Brown (F) solidified. In other cases, expect Holiday and White to play out the backcourt roles.