Boston Celtics coach Ime Udoka took some solace in his team winning three of the four quarters in a 118-107 loss to the Miami Heat in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals, but he has a mountain to climb managing a roster that is missing two starters and playing a hobbled third entering Thursday's Game 2.
The Celtics left their second-round series against the defending champion Milwaukee Bucks as favorites to reach the NBA Finals, but news broke shortly after Sunday's Game 7 win that Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Smart exited Boston's arena in a walking boot.