Author: Monojit Mandal
Score: Heat 115 – 105 Celtics
The Miami Heat took complete control of the Eastern Conference Finals, securing a 2-0 series lead against the Boston Celtics. With impressive wins in Game 1 and Game 2, the Heat demonstrated their resilience and are now just two wins away from reaching their first NBA Finals since 2020. The Celtics, on the other hand, find themselves in a disappointing position, needing to regroup and turn the tide as the series moves to Miami for Game 3.
The Celtics stumbled again in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference playoffs on Friday night, continuing their poor start to the series. The Heat mounted a remarkable comeback in the fourth quarter, erasing a double-digit deficit to win 111-105 at the TD Garden. The Heat already have a comfortable 2-0 lead in the series as the game heads to South Florida this weekend.
Throughout the post-season, the Heat have been unbeatable at home, with 6 wins and 0 losses. They are currently just two wins away from their first appearance in the NBA Finals since 2020. It’s worth mentioning that NBA teams have a 5-23 record when they lose the first two games of a best-of-seven series at home.
Despite the disappointing ending, the Celtics seemed to be in control for most of the game. After falling behind in the first few minutes, they went on a 21-2 run that lasted until the second quarter, giving them an early double-digit lead. The Heat, on the other hand, responded with a 19-2 run, taking a four-point lead into halftime. Caleb Martin came off the bench for Miami and scored 14 of his 25 points in the first half, shooting 6-9 from the floor.
The Celtics saw Jayson-Tatum take charge in the third quarter, scoring 15 points to help Boston build an eight-point lead in the fourth quarter. The team suffocated the Heat on defense, limiting them to 1 of 7 shots from beyond the arc and outscoring them by 12 points.
The Celtics entered the fourth quarter with a double-digit lead, hoping to put the adversity of the first game behind them. However, Jimmy Butler quickly exploited the Heat, reducing the deficit to four points. A heated argument between Butler and Grant Williams in the third quarter only spurred Miami’s comeback. Consecutive baskets by Butler, including one over Williams, put the Heat back in front.
The Heat’s 18-4 run, capped by a thunderous dunk from Bam Adebayo, drastically changed the dynamic of the game, giving Miami a five-point lead with less than a minute to go. Despite Tatum’s free throws, Gabe Vincent and Max Strus calmly hit four combined free throws to complete the six-point victory and take a 2-0 lead in the series. With Williams and Butler arguing, the Heat went on an incredible 24-9 run to win the game.
Butler led the Heat with 27 points, eight rebounds and six assists, while Adebayo finished with 22 points, 17 rebounds and nine assists, just short of a triple-double. Martin set a career playoff record with 25 points. Tatum helped the Celtics with 34 points, 13 rebounds and 8 assists, while Jaylen Brown added 16 points and Robert Williams had 13 points and 3 rebounds.
The series now heads to Miami for Game 3, which is scheduled for Sunday. The Celtics have an uphill struggle to overcome a two-game deficit and return to the Eastern Conference playoffs.