On this date in Celtics history, former point guard John Bagley was born in 1960. After playing at Boston College, he was drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers in 1982. He played for the Celtics from 1989 to 1992, averaging 5.7 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 5.8 assists during his stint. Notably, he missed the 1990-91 season due to a knee injury. Meanwhile, Kevin Garnett was awarded the 2008 Defensive Player of the Year before Game 2 against the Atlanta Hawks, contributing to the team's championship run.

The Cleveland Cavaliers are making their mark in the NBA playoffs as the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference for the first time since their championship run in 2016. They face off against the Miami Heat in the first round, with Game 1 set for April 20. Star guard Donovan Mitchell was cleared to play after recovering from an ankle injury, which boosts the Cavs' chances significantly.

On the other hand, the Heat will be without veteran forward Kevin Love due to personal reasons, alongside several other players dealing with injuries. The Cavaliers have a historical edge over the Heat, winning two of their three matchups this season. Expectations are high for the Cavs, as they are favored to advance in this playoff series.

Injury woes continue to plague the Miami Heat as Bam Adebayo joins Tyler Herro on the sidelines ahead of their matchup against the Philadelphia 76ers. Adebayo is dealing with back spasms, while Herro is recovering from a thigh contusion. The Heat's injury report shows multiple players questionable, including Andrew Wiggins and Alec Burks, further complicating their playoff preparations.

Despite these challenges, Miami remains focused on maintaining competitiveness as they vie for a favorable seeding in the upcoming play-in round. Head coach Erik Spoelstra emphasizes the importance of staying resilient and continuing to strive for consistent wins, even amidst a string of recent losses. With several players out, the team looks to Duncan Robinson, who has recently returned from injury, for a boost.

Tyler Herro will miss another game for the Miami Heat due to a right thigh contusion, marking his fourth absence this season. The Heat have not fared well without him, losing all three previous games he missed. Miami also faces significant challenges with Andrew Wiggins sidelined by a hamstring issue and other key players like Nikola Jovic, Dru Smith, and Kevin Love unavailable. Coach Erik Spoelstra indicated that Herro's injury occurred during a fast break in a loss to the Memphis Grizzlies, and his status will be evaluated day-to-day.

Herro had set a personal goal to minimize his missed games this season, aiming for no more than four. With the regular season winding down, the Heat are locked into the play-in round for the third consecutive year. Their next matchup is against the Philadelphia 76ers, which will be crucial for their playoff positioning. The team continues to deal with injuries but remains focused on their performance as they prepare for the final stretch of the season.

Cooper Flagg is generating significant buzz as the projected No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. This standout Duke freshman has showcased his immense talent, averaging 19 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game, while also providing exceptional defensive plays. Flagg has drawn comparisons to Kevin Love, a five-time NBA All-Star, which has sparked debate about his potential trajectory.

Dan Patrick's remarks implied that Flagg's success should aim even higher than Love's impressive career. In a gracious response, Love acknowledged Flagg’s superior talent, suggesting that if Flagg remains healthy, he could exceed Love's accomplishments, potentially earning him a statue in the future. As Flagg leads Duke into the NCAA Tournament, his focus on winning a national championship adds to the excitement surrounding his career.