Heat’s Robinson shoots his way to the top

He spent the 2013-14 season playing Division III college basketball, making the rounds throughout New England that winter.

Duncan Robinson was a freshman at Williams College in Western Massachusetts and was averaging 17.1 points to help the Ephs reach the national championship game, which they lost to Wisconsin-Whitewater, 75-73.

It would have seemed far-fetched back then to consider the possibility of Robinson one day being among the top 3-point shooters in the NBA and a [...]

He spent the 2013-14 season playing Division III college basketball, making the rounds throughout New England that winter.

Duncan Robinson was a freshman at Williams College in Western Massachusetts and was averaging 17.1 points to help the Ephs reach the national championship game, which they lost to Wisconsin-Whitewater, 75-73.

It would have seemed far-fetched back then to consider the possibility of Robinson one day being among the top 3-point shooters in the NBA and a starter against the Celtics in the Eastern Conference finals.

Yet here is Robinson with the Miami Heat, who took a 2-1 series lead over the Celtics into Game 4 Wednesday night at Disney World.

It has been an improbable ride for Robinson, going from Williams to three seasons at the University of Michigan to a summer-league tryout with the Heat after going undrafted in 2018 to a two-way contract to a starter on a team bidding to reach the NBA Finals.

Robinson, who grew up in New Hampshire and attended The Governor’s Academy in Byfield, Mass., and Phillips Exeter Academy in Exeter, N.H., transferred from Williams after his freshman year and wound up playing for the Wolverines. His coach at Williams, Mike Maker, had been an assistant to Michigan head coach John Beilein at West Virginia.

After sitting out the 2014-15 season, Robinson started 49 of 115 games the next three years for the Wolverines, averaging 9.3 points and making 42% of his 3-pointers.

There were no takers in the 2018 draft, so Robinson signed to play for the Heat in the summer league and made such an impression that he received a two-way contract with Miami and the Sioux City Skyforce of the NBA G-League.

After getting into 15 games with the Heat last season, scoring 3.3 points a game, Robinson became one of the league’s top long-range threats this season.

He started 68 of 73 games for Miami, averaging 13.5 points on 45% shooting from behind the arc.

Robinson went 270 for 606 on 3-pointers and attempted just 81 two-point shots, making 53. He tied for third with Damian Lillard for 3-pointers made and was fourth in attempts.

In 12 playoff games prior to Wednesday, Robinson averaged 11 points, hitting 36 of 88 shots from 3-point range and attempting just eight shots inside the line, hitting six.

Against the Celtics, Robinson took nothing but 3-pointers in the first three games, making 12 of 27. He had six for 18 points in a Game 2 win and scored 13 points with four 3-pointers in Game 3.

The Heat appreciate having Robinson in the lineup and the continued improvement he makes with his game.

"He keeps coming back to work, no matter if he has an off game, a really great game, a mediocre one,’’ Jimmy Butler said during a videoconference this week. "He’s always trying to get better, trying to learn, trying to make sure we can win the next one.

"I think that’s what you respect about him. [He’s] thirsty for knowledge. He just wants to help us win a championship. When you have a guy like that in your corner, all you can do is continue to praise him, continue to love him and continue to be grateful that he’s on your team.’’

"I’m sure there may be some people that are still rooting for the Celtics,’’ Robinson said on a videoconference prior to the series. "All the people that are close to me, I wouldn’t say they are torn because they’re definitely rooting for me. But there is an interesting dynamic in play with that. I’ve felt a ton of support and I know everyone back home is also excited.’’

Celtics rookie Romeo Langford underwent surgery to repair a torn ligament in his right wrist Tuesday morning and is finished until next season, whenever that may begin.

Langford, the No. 14 pick in last year’s draft, was hurt in the regular-season finale against the Washington Wizards on Aug. 13. He was playing through the injury in the postseason, only to suffer a strained adductor in Game 2 against the Heat last week.

Langford had appeared in just two games, playing seven minutes, in the second round against the Toronto Raptors and appeared for just 1:21 against the Heat.

In 32 regular-season games, Langford averaged 2.5 points in 11.6 minutes. He dealt with a series of injuries and underwent thumb surgery prior to the draft after being injured throughout his freshman season at Indiana.

Wednesday marked 11 weeks since the Celtics arrived at Disney World. They left Boston on July 8, just a couple of weeks into summer, and are now a few days into fall. The two winners of the conference finals could be in Florida another three weeks with Game 7 of the NBA Finals tentatively set for Oct. 13. ... Game 5 of the Celtics-Heat series will be at 8:30 p.m. Friday and, if necessary, Game 6 will be played at 7:30 p.m. Sunday. A Game 7 would be played Tuesday.