Heat’s Kyle Lowry and PJ Tucker intend to play in Game 3 against Celtics

The Miami Heat’s Kyle Lowry and PJ Tucker are on track to play Game 3 against the Celtics on Saturday night.

Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said Lowry (hamstring) and Tucker (knee) will go through their routines and warm up “with the intention of playing.”

It’s possible either player will decide at the last minute that the pain is intolerable, but it seems more likely than not that both will be there.

Point guard Lowry, an NBA champion with the Toronto Raptors in 2019, missed time in both the first and second rounds of these playoffs and has yet to play in this series.

Spoelstra told reporters that Lowry had wanted to return since Game 5 of Miami’s second-round series against the 76ers, but staff were cautious about his return.

Tucker, who is considered one of the most durable players in the league, left in the first half of Game 2 against the Celtics and did not return. He is one of Miami’s best defensive options and is also a 3-point threat.

Sam Hauser (right shoulder instability episode) is the only Celtics player listed on the injury report. It looks like both teams will be essentially at full strength for the first time so far in this series.

Game 3 is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. and will air on ABC.