Mission accomplished for the Celtics who rectified the situation by going for two convincing victories in Miami to regain home field advantage and the “momentum” of the series. Under the eyes of Leo Messi, it was Derrick White who put on a show by sealing his new career record in the playoffs with a 38-point performance, 8/15 from 3-point range!
Derrick White notably allowed Boston to quickly take control of the match, actively contributing to the Celtics' 16-2 lead from the start, with 11 points including three 3-point baskets! Trailing 14-29, the Floridians were able to count on Bam Adebayo to sound the revolt with a mid-distance basket and especially an alley-oop at very high altitude sent by Tyler Herro (24-34).
In Kobe mode!
Derrick White then came back strong by scoring two new “Kobe-esque” 3-point baskets to give his team a 17-point lead (31-46). And despite the injury exit of Kristaps Porzingis shortly before the break, Boston did not let up after returning from the locker room, still relying on its defense and its flashes in transition to control the gap (36-53).
Once again, the light came from Derrick White with two huge dunks which would have deserved two “and-ones” and a service at the right tempo in transition for the new masterful dunk from Jaylen Brown (43-66).
The sequence had the merit of knocking out Erik Spoelstra's troops, relegated 22 lengths after three quarters (59-81) and again humiliated by a poster dunk from Jayson Tatum on Caleb Martin at the start of the fourth quarter. time (71-91).
Jayson Tatum, Derrick White and Jaylen Brown quickly stifled a 7-0 run by the locals to secure the final victory with a score of 102 to 88 and thus give themselves the opportunity to complete the series in Game 5 at home this Wednesday evening.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– The Celtics defense. As in the previous match where they asphyxiated the Heat in the first quarter in this way (12 points conceded), Joe Mazzulla's men put up a constant defense of great intensity to thwart Miami, and thus allow Derrick White and his teammates to shine like this in attack. Limited to 36 points at the break, the Floridians had to wait two minutes before the end of the third quarter to exceed the 50 point mark!
–Derrick “White Hot”. Miami likes playoff evenings in “White hot” mode with an audience dressed entirely in white as was the case this night. Caught in their own game, the Heat were corrected in the first quarter by an untenable Derrick White. Author of 16 points over the period, the Celtics guard also stood out with a big performance at the end of the third quarter with a series of dunks to drive home the point. Top scorer of the match with 38 points, his career record in the playoffs, at 8/15 by far, Derrick White confirms his good disposition in the playoffs on the floor of the Kaseya Center.
– Kristaps Porzingis’ injury. The evening would have been perfect for the Celtics without his premature exit. Uncertain before the match, the Latvian interior started the match discreetly and stood out towards his bench two minutes before the break. KP suddenly got stuck while performing a screen pose and immediately requested the change, before heading to the locker room. The Celtics later confirmed it was a (recurring) right calf injury.
– A textbook case. At 78-91, while the Heat had just passed a 7-0, the refereeing body had to manage an unprecedented case, when Jayson Tatum almost injured himself after a whistle, in an action “for butter”! After a foul on Derrick White, JT took the ball to attempt a 3-pointer, which Bam Adebayo decided to contest, letting his foot drag on the landing point of Tatum's left foot, which twisted his ankle. Even if the latter remained on the field, the referees ruled on this funny situation by still sanctioning Bam Adebayo with a “Flagrant” foul.
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
