In a starkly similar performance to last season’s Eastern Finals, the Miami Heat handed the Boston Celtics a 111-101 defeat in Game 2 on Wednesday at TD Garden. Unleashing a torrent of 3-pointers, the Heat effectively stifled any comeback attempts by the Celtics. With the first-round series now tied 1-1, the action shifts to Miami for the next two games.
Recognizing the need for adjustments, the Heat showcased a strategic shift in shot selection from the outset. Their 3-pointers seemed effortless, with the team seemingly shooting at will and converting a substantial number of attempts throughout the game. These successful shots kept the Heat ahead, despite occasional spurts from the Celtics.
Late in the first half, as Miami surged to a five-point lead, a hush fell over the Garden crowd. However, Jaylen Brown ignited the game, scoring 11 consecutive points to give the Celtics a 61-58 halftime advantage.
The Celtics’ offense faltered in the third quarter, allowing the Heat to establish a 12-point lead. While the Celtics attempted to chip away at the deficit, Miami continued to sink 3-pointers with remarkable consistency. As the game progressed, the Heat maintained their composure, preventing the Celtics from mounting a significant rally. Miami seemed to have an answer for every Boston surge, much like in last year’s playoffs.
Brown led the Celtics with 33 points and eight rebounds, while Jayson Tatum contributed 28 points and eight rebounds. Bam Adebayo of the Heat recorded 21 points and 10 rebounds, while Caleb Martin bounced back with a 21-point performance, reminiscent of his form last year. Tyler Herro added 24 points and 14 assists.
Game 3 of the first round is scheduled for Saturday at 6 p.m. at Kaseya Center as the series moves to Miami for the next two games.
Game 2 takeaways:
1.
Draining from deep:
After the Celtics’ impressive deep shooting in Game 1, the Heat responded in kind on Wednesday. They launched shots early and often, finishing with an impressive 23-for-43 (53.5%) success rate from 3-point range. This shooting variance proved crucial for the Heat throughout the game, contrasting with the Celtics’ 12-for-32 (37.5%) performance from deep. Game 2 likely brought back memories of last season’s Eastern Finals for Celtics fans, as the Heat once again seemed unstoppable from 3-point territory.2.
Needed more help:
Throughout the game, the Celtics relied heavily on Tatum and Brown, who took turns dominating at different points. Together, they accounted for 61 points on 23-for-43 shooting. While Tatum began strongly and ended the third quarter on a high note, keeping the Celtics in contention, Brown added 15 points in the second quarter, including the final 11 points heading into halftime. However, their teammates struggled to provide consistent support, contributing to the loss. Tatum and Brown themselves were not without fault as the Celtics fell short as a team in Game 2.3.
Tough showing:
While Kristaps Porzingis had a solid showing in his playoff debut, he faltered in Game 2. The big man struggled to find his shot, missing attempts and failing to capitalize on mismatches. Porzingis shot 1-for-9 from the field, finishing with six points, eight rebounds, and four assists. The Heat’s physicality seemed to bother him, preventing him from dominating as he has during the regular season. The Celtics acquired Porzingis to create matchup problems, but he was unable to punish the Heat, finishing with a minus-32 rating in his 30 minutes on the court.4.
