Can the Miami Heat crack the latest Boston Celtics code?

Q: Ira, Boston had no depth. Their reserves who played Monday against the Pacers were Sam Hauser, Payton Pritchard and Xavier Tillman. Tell Pat Riley to work on his starters. – Eddie.

A: To be fair, Boston also had Al Horford starting in place of Kristaps Porzingis, so there otherwise would have been depth in that aspect. But, yes, what has made the Celtics special this season is a lineup of five players of All-Star quality, when counting Porzingis, Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Jrue Holiday and Derrick White, Even with four of them on the court, it is enough to win in the East (and arguably even with three). To their credit, the Heat did attempt to upgrade the starting lineup with the move from Kyle Lowry to Terry Rozier. But All-Star talent is another story. The draft gave Boston a considerable headstart with Tatum and Brown, but the trade market was able to procure Holiday, White and Porzingis. That’s where the Heat likely will have to search for salvation, having proven previously they could beat the pre-Porzingis, pre-Holiday Celtics.