It’s only December, but there was already a whiff of the playoffs for this game between Boston and Miami, two contenders for the top spots in the Eastern Conference who have found themselves in the Conference Finals twice in the past three seasons. .
The debates were announced to be more balanced with the return of Jimmy Butler which followed that of Tyler Herro, ten days earlier. And after losing the first two games in the regular season, the Heat saw themselves trying a shot at TD Garden. Mission accomplished!
After an intense but balanced first quarter (27-27), it was Miami who opened hostilities by passing a 9-2 to move to +7 (29-36). To respond to Tyler Herro, Kyle Lowry’s heat strokes from afar or Jimmy Butler’s rise in temperature, Boston was then able to count on the outside address of Al Horford, Jaylen Brown and Grant Williams to regain the lead at the break (62-59).
The fight was fierce on both sides of the floor, but this time it was Boston who managed to take the best despite the discreet performance of Jayson Tatum, wet with faults. Jaylen Brown was then invaluable in fueling the 17-2 past by the locals. And after his two missiles behind the arc, it was those of Grant Williams who increased the score to bring the locals to +12 (86-74).
Except that the Heat had kept it underfoot and shifted into high gear at the start of the last act. Through an untenable Herro-Adebayo duo, Miami inflicted a resounding 13-0 to regain control of the match (91-96).
This foreshadowed a “money-time” of madness and on this point, the two teams did not disappoint! Jayson Tatum and Grant Williams tried everything to try to tip the scales in their favor, but the Floridians responded each time, with Bam Adebayo first then an imperial Jimmy Butler to give his team a three-point lead at 5 seconds from the end (107-110).
“Jimmy Buckets” could thus have been the hero of the match if Jaylen Brown had not scored a completely crazy basket with the help of the board to equalize at the last second and send everyone into overtime (110-110)!
Not enough to discourage Jimmy Butler, who returned the cover with two “clutch” baskets, in traffic then on a step-back in front of Al Horford, to finish the job and allow Miami to win 120-116.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– Money-time, owned by Jimmy Butler. The last time the Heat had won with him in their ranks, it was against Phoenix and thanks to a double decisive Jimmy Butler against Devin Booker in the very last seconds. For his return to the game, “Jimmy Buckets” was again “clutch” with two baskets at the end of the fourth quarter and two other decisive shots in overtime. The winger had promised he was coming to Boston with the fangs. He could not have dreamed of a better return.
– The victory of the defense. The Heat turned the tide early in the fourth quarter with their aggressive defense. At the same time, the option chosen by Boston to play with five players around the racket, with Grant Williams on one side and Al Horford on the other, did not really pay off. The Celtics have seen their attack freeze too many times, causing loss of ball and bad choices. Each time the ball moved, however, the locals scored or found good positions. On arrival, even the boost from elsewhere from Jaylen Brown was not enough.
MATCH ACTION
We call that a beautiful prayer! At -3 just over five seconds from the end, while the Heat still have a fault to give and with a Jayson Tatum not in great shape, it is in the hands of Jaylen Brown that the ball lands. To avoid a quick foul, JB triggers quickly, a good three meters behind the 3-point line. A little boost from the board, and bingo! A feat unfortunately remained unfinished for the Celtics, but the basket is worth a look.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZklvBRJt1Y8
TOPS/FLOPS
✅ Jimmy Butler. A winning return, decisive baskets and victory at the end of the night, Jimmy Butler delighted the TD Garden to finish with 25 points and 15 rebounds in 35 minutes. Not bad for a rematch.
✅ Tyler Hero. Alongside Jimmy Butler, he was the Heat’s main gunner, the one who kept his people alive when Boston was racing ahead. A big 6/10 at 3-points came to remind the player of his first exploits in the league, against Boston in particular.
✅ Bam Adebayo. He too will have been essential in the success snatched by Miami, by his effectiveness near the circle, his impact on both sides of the floor and his two-man game with Tyler Herro in particular.
⛔️ Jayson Tatum. A match without, it can happen as JT flew over the start of the season. But tonight, it didn’t want to go. A little wet with faults on the way back from the locker room, he struggled to find his rhythm, as evidenced by his 0/7 from 3-pointers.
⛔️ Al Horford. “Big Al” would have liked to celebrate his contract extension with a victory. Not only did Miami win, but the pivot had too little impact on the game overall. He also ate severe at the end defending on Jimmy Butler.
THE FOLLOWING
Boston (18-5): The Celtics have an appointment on the floor of the Nets tomorrow evening (midnight).
Miami (11-12): the Heat are expected in Memphis Monday night (2 a.m.).
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