Celtics Destroy Heat To Even Series Up
The Boston Celtics defeated the Miami Heat, 127-102, at FTX Arena on Thursday night in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals. The series is now tied 1-1.
The Celtics were 3-0 after a loss in the current playoff run and bolstered that record to 4-0 thanks to a dominant performance. The return of key players such as Marcus Smart and Al Horford was huge for Boston, but it is also worth noting that Miami were sluggish and did not look like the same team that secured a huge win in Game 1 of the series. The Celtics trailed by 10 in the first quarter, but they outscored Miami by a 60-21 score over the subsequent 18 minutes to pull away for good. The Heat built a late run when the game was out of reach only to prevent making history, as Miami's all-time worst loss in the playoffs was by 36 point, and that number was within range at one moment. Needless to say, Boston outmatched its opponent and should have all the momentum in the series now that the next two games will be played in Boston. Game 3 will be played Saturday.
Jayson Tatum had 27 points to lead the Celtics in this victory, and he also added five rebounds and five assists to his name. Marcus Smart was magnificent in his return and finished with 24 points, 12 assists and nine rebounds, ending just one board away from a triple-double. Jaylen Brown also had 24 points, and he supplemented that with eight rebounds and three assists as well. Al Horford had 10 points, three rebounds and three assists while playing outstanding defense. Grant Williams led the bench with 19 points and four rebounds, and Payton Pritchard chipped in with 10 points as well.
Jimmy Butler led Miami with 29 points and six rebounds, but his efforts were not enough. Gabe Vincent was the only other starter who scored in double digits for Miami, tallying 14 points, three rebounds and three assists. Victor Oladipo also had 14 points off the bench, while Tyler Herro ended with 10 while shooting 5-for-11 from the field.
The Celtics were 3-0 after a loss in the current playoff run and bolstered that record to 4-0 thanks to a dominant performance. The return of key players such as Marcus Smart and Al Horford was huge for Boston, but it is also worth noting that Miami were sluggish and did not look like the same team that secured a huge win in Game 1 of the series. The Celtics trailed by 10 in the first quarter, but they outscored Miami by a 60-21 score over the subsequent 18 minutes to pull away for good. The Heat built a late run when the game was out of reach only to prevent making history, as Miami's all-time worst loss in the playoffs was by 36 point, and that number was within range at one moment. Needless to say, Boston outmatched its opponent and should have all the momentum in the series now that the next two games will be played in Boston. Game 3 will be played Saturday.
Jayson Tatum had 27 points to lead the Celtics in this victory, and he also added five rebounds and five assists to his name. Marcus Smart was magnificent in his return and finished with 24 points, 12 assists and nine rebounds, ending just one board away from a triple-double. Jaylen Brown also had 24 points, and he supplemented that with eight rebounds and three assists as well. Al Horford had 10 points, three rebounds and three assists while playing outstanding defense. Grant Williams led the bench with 19 points and four rebounds, and Payton Pritchard chipped in with 10 points as well.
Jimmy Butler led Miami with 29 points and six rebounds, but his efforts were not enough. Gabe Vincent was the only other starter who scored in double digits for Miami, tallying 14 points, three rebounds and three assists. Victor Oladipo also had 14 points off the bench, while Tyler Herro ended with 10 while shooting 5-for-11 from the field.