It’s odd that the Miami Heat’s close loss to the Boston Celtics on Sunday can be viewed as both a moral victory and a turning point in the team’s history.
Despite losing 110-106, the game was far more competitive than the Heat’s 33-point defeat on January 25. Prior to the first meeting, Miami was on a seven-game losing streak; however, going into Sunday, the team had won four of its previous five games.
Without Terry Rozier’s first-half contributions, the Heat would not have been as competitive against the NBA’s all-time leading scorer in a game that came down to the wire.
By the half, Rozier had five assists and eleven points. He was creating Miami’s 3-point shot selection and applying pressure to Boston’s defense by slipping past the team’s long defenders.
Then, in the third quarter, Rozier was fouled close to the hoop and attempted a layup, landing awkwardly on his right leg. With a crumple, Rozier grabbed at his right leg and fell to the court. Rozier was still on the court, writhing in agony, when Heat coaches, players, and trainers rushed to surround him.
Heat trainers helped Rozier carefully make his way to the locker room. Due to a knee injury, he was ruled out of the game for the duration. Monday, he will have an MRI.
This occurred following Josh Richardson’s second-quarter shoulder dislocation, which forced him to leave the game. Richardson, who also left the game without coming back, is scheduled to have an MRI on Monday.
