Marta Lavandier/Associated Press
In a rematch of the 2020 Eastern Convention Finals, the Boston Celtics avenged their postseason defeat with a 107-105 victory over the Miami Heat on Wednesday in Florida.
The Celtics held an early lead, however the Heat crawled support with a 35-level third quarter apt in time for a support-and-forth final body that threatened time beyond regulation.
In the closing minutes, Boston went on a 13-0 ride to seemingly seal the rob earlier than Miami’s Duncan Robinson added seven parts in 30 seconds to dangle it a 3-level game. With 0.2 seconds final, Payton Pritchard sunk the winner to present Boston a 107-105 victory.
Jayson Tatum posted 27 parts and went 5-of-8 from three to raise Boston to the rob and strengthen its account to 6-3.
For the 3-4 Heat, who entered the game coming off a 118-90 defeat of the Oklahoma Metropolis Bellow, Butler had 26 parts and eight assists and hit eight of his nine free-throw makes an are attempting.
Notable Performers
- Jayson Tatum, F, Celtics: 27 PTS (10-21 FG, 5-8 3PT, 2-2 FT), 5 REB, 4 AST
- Jaylen Brown, G, Celtics: 21 PTS (8-23 FG, 3-9 3PT, 2-2 FT), 12 REB, 5 AST
- Jimmy Butler, F, Heat: 26 PTS (9-19 FG, 0-3 3PT, 8-9 FT), 8 REB, 3 AST, 3 BLK
- Bam Adebayo, C, Heat: 15 PTS (5-10 FG, 5-6 FT), 10 AST, 8 REB
Heat Can’t Cease Boston’s Stars
Unlike the Heat, who can eye to the seven varied gamers scoring in double digits to manufacture on any given evening, the Celtics need two of us to be on within the occasion that they are looking out for to sever out a victory.
The duo of Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum has paced the Celtics with an life like of more than 26 parts each by the Celtics’ first eight games. However on the support of them, the personnel’s offense dwindles. Marcus Tidy is mainly top-of-the-line varied player averaging more than 10 parts per game (12.6).
Boston elected to make exhaust of a two-center lineup in opposition to Miami, initiating each Tristan Thompson and Daniel Theis, a scenario that hasn’t precisely proved fruitful. The Celtics are inclined to battle when each bigs are on the bottom.
In the first half, each stars caught collectively in taking the Celtics to a 53-45 lead. Tatum added 12 parts, four rebounds and two assists, whereas Brown used to be the squad’s prime playmaker with 11 parts, four assists and 7 rebounds.
The Celtics had been stifled by the Heat within the third quarter as they posted 35 parts, and Brown added apt two more parts to his whole. Tatum, who used to be all but by myself available, used to be restricted to seven parts within the third quarter.
Butler Leads Miami to Late Payment
The Heat maintain undoubtedly one of basically the most balanced offenses within the game with seven varied gamers averaging double-digit scoring by the personnel’s first six games. They’re paced by mountainous man Bam Adebayo, who has aloof 19.2 parts and 8.0 rebounds per contest to manual the personnel in each courses, but varied candidates to manual the level to embody Tyler Herro, Goran Dragic, Avery Bradley, Duncan Robinson, Jimmy Butler and Kelly Olynyk.
On Wednesday, Butler answered the resolution.
He added 14 parts within the first half to succor the Heat encroach upon the Celtics’ 34-26 first-quarter lead and head to the ruin at 53-45. Adebayo used to be the personnel’s second-leading scorer on the ruin with seven parts.
The dearth of the customary offensive blast wasn’t attributable to a lack of effort. The Heat apt couldn’t land their pictures, hitting 35.1 p.c from the self-discipline when put next with Boston’s 42.6 p.c capturing as four varied Celtics recorded steals within the first half.
The third quarter seen the Heat continue their unhurried-first-half charge, going on a 30-12 ride as Butler persisted to quietly add to his level whole whereas Kelly Olynyk labored toward pulling down three of his six three-level makes an are attempting. By the stop of the penultimate body, Miami had improved its capturing percentage to 45.9 p.c.
What’s Next?
The Heat will originate a traipse up the East Cruise, facing Russell Westbrook and the two-6 Washington Wizards within the capital on Saturday earlier than continuing to Boston for a rematch with the Celtics on Sunday.
Sooner than Sunday’s game, the Celtics will host Washington on Friday.
