The Miami Heat did not enjoy their six-game road trip. The defending champs went 2-4 on the long stretch outside of South Beach, losing three-straight games as defensive woes plagued their team. Now the Heat return home for a four-game homestand and look to get back on track against the struggling Boston Celtics.
The Heat's defense was non-existent during the team's road trip. They allowed their second-most points of the season to the Atlanta Hawks as the team fell 121-114. They shot 51.9 percent overall and had seven players in double figures, but could not stop the sharp shooting Hawks who went shot-for-shot with the team. Pair that loss with the 103.8 points they allowed per game during the road trip and the Heat have fallen into the bottom-third of league in defense.
If the Heat are going to get something going after their recent struggles, the Celtics is the unit to do it again. Boston is in major trouble with or without Rajon Rondo. The team has lost nine-straight road games and is sitting 14-16 overall. The team just gave up a nice lead to the Orlando Magic to lose 93-91 after failure to get a final shot off.
Getting Rondo back in the lineup as not helped boost the team. The point guard has returned after missing the first 40 games due to his rehab after his ACL injury. Rondo is averaging just 7.0 points per game and 4.0 assists while shooting 36.8 percent overall.
The matchup between the Miami Heat and the Celtics also features the first time Joel Anthony will face his former team since getting traded last week. He has yet to play in a game with Boston, but Brad Stevens noted he could appear on Monday.
