The 47-19 Celtics, coming off a tough home loss Wednesday night to OKC, went on the road to take on the 29-36 Heat. The shorthanded Celtics (without Jaylen Brown and Kristaps Porzingis) used defense to subdue Miami 103-91.
The Celtics got out to a hot start in this one, knocking down their first five shots, four of which were from three-point land. They played a very solid first quarter, defensively and offensively, leading the Heat 30-23.
The Heat started to respond in the second quarter. Players like Andrew Wiggins and Davion Mitchell were picking apart Boston’s defense and helped them go on a 9-0 run. Jrue Holiday did not allow the Heat to stay in front too long as he started to get aggressive by knocking down threes and attacking the lane. He finished the half with 16 points, while Boston and Miami were all knotted up at 50 at the half.
The third quarter remained back and forth, as neither team could pull away. Jayson Tatum and Jrue Holiday combined for 20 of Boston’s 28 third-quarter points. The Celtics led the Heat by one going into the fourth quarter.
Boston played its best basketball in the fourth quarter. Derrick White came alive, scoring 12 of his 18 points in the quarter. The Celtics’ D was remarkable, allowing only 14 points in the quarter. Neemias Queta was a big reason. He played Bam Adebayo tight, blocking shots and forcing him to put the ball on the floor.
Boston went on to win the game by a final score of 103-91 for its sixth win in the last seven games. Jayson Tatum led the way with 28 points, and Jrue Holiday pitched in a season-high of 25.
Without a break, the Celtics return to the court Saturday night when they travel to Brooklyn to take on the Nets at 6:00 PM (on NBC Boston and NBA League Pass).
