The Heat have won 22 games in a row, tying them for second all-time with the Rockets, who won 22 straight in 2008. The Celtics, meanwhile, have a streak of their own going, winning 11 in a row at TD Garden, where they will host the Heat on Monday night.
But a certain 6-foot-11 player (not 7 feet, mind you) who could be the determining factor in the game may not be available for this showdown.
Celtics coach Doc Rivers says Kevin Garnett is “50/50 at best” to play Monday night when Miami visits due to a left adductor strain in his thigh. While Rivers noted that the injury is not a long-term concern, characterizing the tweak as a “one” on a scale of 1 to 10, it could keep Garnett from the Celtics’ bid to spoil the Heat’s streak.
“Even if he misses a couple games, it’s not an injury that’s a big deal,” Rivers told reporters. “I’m not that concerned about it. … I don’t think it’s that serious, but it’s just a point in the year where you’re just not going to play him if he’s not feeling great.”
While any team would revel in taking down the dominant Heat, the Celtics have some extra intrigue riding on this game. Not only do they have a streak of their own at home — a run that began when they held off the Heat in overtime Jan. 27 just after losing Rajon Rondo to what became a season-ending ACL injury — but they were also the team that broke up the last 22-gamer. The Celtics stopped the Houston Rockets 94-74 — on March 18, 2008, no less — to foil the last 22-game streak in NBA history.
On Monday night, they’ll have a chance to repeat, Garnett or not.
