Unlike Game 1, the Heat started this meeting well. The ball circulates and we find 3-point shots. The danger even comes mainly behind the arc while the Celtics display a certain clumsiness in the exercise. In addition, Kristaps Porzingis is not really inspired in the game. With eight winning baskets scored, the Heat are in front after twelve minutes (27-28).
Joe Mazzulla's players attacked the second quarter well, with newfound skill and for a few moments, Miami seemed on the ropes. But Caleb Martin and Tyler Herro give some breathing space at 3-points. Jaylen Brown takes his opponent's breath away with three 3-point baskets in a row and a layup after an interception! Thus, Boston took control again at the break (61-58).
From the great Tyler Herro
This wave is cut by the break. Boston comes back without big ideas, loses balls, Kristaps Porzingis is still in difficulty and makes no difference. For almost four minutes, the Celtics could not find the path to the basket. While Tyler Herro weighs in and plays in pairs with Bam Adebayo. If we add Caleb Martin who is struggling with his points, Miami dominates the debates and takes up to twelve points in advance. Two dunks from Jayson Tatum wake up the TD Garden before the last quarter (79-85).
After seeing his teammates do the work from afar, Bam Adebayo begins his work closer to the basket. The All-Star interior made baskets in the fourth quarter and Miami held its lead. Tyler Herro and Caleb Martin take care of the rest. Too messy, the Celtics were unable to come back and had to lose at home: 111-101. One everywhere, ball in the center!
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– Franchise record at 3-points for the Heat. Determined to take more 3-point shots after the defeat in the first round, Erik Spoelstra's players produced a brilliant performance: 23/43 at 3-pts, a superb 53% success rate! It's a franchise record (the old one was 20, against Milwaukee in 2021) and above all it's eleven more baskets scored than the Celtics, the kings of 3-pts this season. To overthrow the best team in the league, the Heat did not rot the game, on the contrary, they beat the Celtics at their own game. Doing it away is remarkable, but having such skill, is it really sustainable over an entire series?
– Kristaps Porzingis missed out. We know it, we saw it throughout the regular season, the Latvian is a massive weapon of solution for Boston. With him, the Celtics eliminate a lot of problems. On the other hand, when he is not in his match, it also shows. With 6 points at 1/9 on the shoot, the former Dallas and New York player failed to make a difference. He made the effort on defense with 8 rebounds, 3 interceptions and 2 blocks, but on offense, it was an ordeal and he did not help Jaylen Brown (33 points) and Jayson Tatum (28).
– Boston loses again at home. The Celtics' difficulties and numerous home defeats in the playoffs caused a lot of discussion last season. Faced with a diminished team (Jimmy Butler and Terry Rozier are absent), the season leaders had a golden opportunity to do the work in front of their audience, and therefore to make life easier. This defeat gives the Heat home advantage and we will have to go for at least one match in Florida to avoid putting ourselves on the brink of collapse.
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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.
