The streaking Miami Heat stayed sizzling on Wednesday night, as the team secured their sixth consecutive win and upset the Boston Celtics on their home floor. Miami is in the midst of their longest winning streak of the season immediately after their longest losing skid of coach Erik Spoelstra’s career had unfolded.
After the win, the Heat improved to 35-41 on the season, and went a perfect 3-0 on their small road trip.
They had an answer for every single run the Celtics had thrown at them. Jayson Tatum was held to just 16 points on 4 of 17 shooting, along with minimal efforts from Boston’s depth off the bench.
Miami on the other hand went with a tight eight-man rotation and got double-digits scoring efforts from all three of Kyle Anderson, Davion Mitchell and Haywood Highsmith off the bench. Anderson was sensational with his playmaking, totaling 19 points on 7 of 11 from the field in his 24 minutes.
The Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo duo led the way offensively for the Heat once again. Herro dropped a game-high 25 points, 9 assists and 6 rebounds to go along with a pair of steals and 9 of 10 from the free throw line. He was aggressive in making all the right decisions and getting to his spots.
Adebayo added a 21/6/5 statline of his own, going 9 of 15 from the floor. Miami outscored Boston by 32 points combined in Herro and Adebayo’s minutes.
Pelle Larsson was a true X-factor as the spot starter in place of the injured Andrew Wiggins. He has been earning minutes with his hustle and grit as of late, with that notion being no different against the Celtics. He finished with 16 points on the night— all coming in pivotal moments of the game.
Boston was held to just 45% shooting overall and an abysmal 28% from 3-point range. The long range shooting is such a crucial factor to their success, and when the shots aren’t falling they look like a beatable team. The Heat kept their efficiency consistent throughout, finishing 52% from the field as a team and elite 47% from beyond the arc.
Despite the Heat losing the rebounding battle 43-34, they still did a terrific job at forcing turnovers, where Miami had the 13-4 edge in that department.
It was an inspiring performance from the group, delivering a statement win over one of the league’s biggest juggernauts.
The Heat avoided the season sweep to Boston with the win, and will now quickly pivot to open up a three-game homestand on the second night of a back-to-back for Thursday.
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Key statistics from last night’s game.
It’s very interesting to speculate on the playoffs and who should or shouldn’t be in the rotation. There’s arguments to made on all sides. But rather than do that, I thought I would take time to savor the moment. Despite the downside we have had to endure this season, right now it feels pretty good to be a Miami Heat fan. For a moment, I’m not thinking about last night’s game or tonight’s. I’m just stopping to savor the moment. Savor the optimism. Savor the smiles on the players’ faces and on my own. I’m stopping to live in the moment. Try it.
GO HEAT!!!
Agreed. We have gone from feeling angry, extorted, and hopeless, to surprised, hopeful, and positive about the present and future of the team.
Amen brother. Even our resident optimist seems to have a bounce in his step and a twinkle in his eye. Life is good!
This is an excellent article appearing in allucanheat on how Miami Heat has moved past Butler and formed it’s new identity.
This is why the Heat’s late-season win streak is not meaninglessDeveloping a foundation for what they want to build.
https://allucanheat.com/miami-heat-late-season-win-streak-not-meaningless?utm_campaign=FanSided+Daily&utm_source=FanSided+Daily&utm_medium=email&sc=e0273490fd355e2c28bdb25751d41af65a4dd80936ff00a80be9866c97887955
Okay, season synopsis.
Heat subtracted Martin, Delon, Orlando, Bryant, Richardson, and Jimmy quitter.
Heat traded pick #43 Nikola Durisic (or Djurisic. Either way, WHO?) for #44 Pelle and cash.
So, Heat added Pelle, Ware, Burks, Wiggins, Anderson, Mitchell, a first round pick, Keshad, plus G league players Christopher and Stevens.
Not bad for too old and out of touch GM Riley. 😀
It’s funny ppl like to give Riley crap, but even a bad Riley is still a top 10 gm at least.
Even though it wasn’t fully voluntary (the Butler saga), he did a complete in-season makeover of this team with new players, rotations, and attitude.
Spo said something beautiful was on the other side. Guess this is it. Enjoy the moment.
I’m cancelling that flight for Spo to Manila this April lol
Ok…here’s my take. If Heat decides to make the playoffs they should get to the ecf at least. Otherwise get the top pick.
We don’t have the bench for the finals.There are teams that have players that will play 48 minutes to overwhelm your bench. Teams like Denver Nuggets’ Jamal Murray, Knicks Brunson, Timberwolves Anthony Edward’s, the Hot Oklahoma Thunder. Our only chance is avoiding those teams or we don’t meet them. Why take the chance when our bench is not that strong. I will not bet on our performances of the last 6 games that we won.
just ecf bro. it would really mean the Heat are back. i think. but as someone pointed out it would be a waste of pick if they crash and burn in the first round. might as well play the boogieman role again to a few east teams. thats gonna be a lot of fun.
wow debby downer please sshh
All the sudden we got the swagger here while across town the Panthers are the ones losing right and left.
Felt like qualifying through a semi-final series to play for the ECF championship.
Matching the Cs pace, good defense, and continued improved shooting made the day.
Observayltions worth noting:
1. Find a way to not have Ware playing too far off from the rim.
2. Tatum pushes off a lot with his other hand, which the refs do not call. Heat should find a way to expose it so that the refs will start calling a pushing foul on him, when next we play the Cs
good observ they dont ever call it
That’s was one of the best wins in the season.
Slo mo and Pelle were heroes of this win.
Still, I dont think heat are that good as last streak shown. As I didnt think, that Heat are that bad during 10 games loosing streak.
But we should be more optimistic. Thats not a bad team.
How about Slo Mo showing everyone what a useful addition he is. And Pelle looking really solid out there. We are surely better than we were now, after the Jimmy trade. We are better now, and even more definitely better down the road. The Celtics were missing some talent, but still had Tatum, Brown, White, amongst others. We don’t beat their full lineup even with Wiggins, but underplaying this win is not seeing what an indicator of higher level performance it is.
With Wiggins back, we can possibly make it into the playoffs, and give our first round opponent a decent fight. Seems like we are now a better than average team, maybe a 46-36 team, if we had this lineup all year. We replaced Love, Jovic, JJJ, and Rozier with better players. That is the difference. Last night we found out that Slo Mo is one of the upgrades. Go Heat!
Don’t forget, Duncan was also out. If he’d been on the court last night, we win by 40. By 45 if he was in cornrows.
Facts
His signature look. I forgot about him, but yes, it could be said that Duncan is another player (along with Love, JJJ, Jovic, and Rozier) that we replaced with Ware, Mitchell, Wiggins, Burks- we play him more, Pelle, and Anderson, It’s the personnel, and Spoelstra willingness to use them, that has changed this team, made it stronger.
100% wrrong one of the reasons were soaring now no unc
Simple people look for simple answers. Duncan is a better overall player than Burks and the numbers back that up. If healthy Spo would put him back in the rotation. I don’t think he will be back, no pun intended on his injury.
Thanks, B&J!
While I respect Duncan and believe the statistical data, I think Burks has proven to be at least as effective , or close to Duncan at a fraction of the price.
how many games has dunc d been out 6 how many games in a row we won 6not a coincidence hes poison for this team if he plays biggest mistake spo could make,guys unplayable due to his aTrocious defense burks is not great but all round player better than dunc.duncs offense is ok dont get me wrong but his terrible d makes him unplayable.there are 10 betteroptions than him
Did you see me disagreeing with you?
I think most of us agree that Robinson is overpaid and can be replaced by Burks for far less money. If Robinson is not part of Miami’s long term plans, he needs to go after this season, one way or another. Burks is probably good off the bench and as a starter, in a pinch, for the next 2-3 seasons.
word is duncs healthy but why change this up.it would be the dummest mistake for spo to do to mess with the great eight..id rather have jjj and terry at least they can guard.
It’s a fluid situation. Spo should go with the same 8 until/unless one or more of them hits a cold streak, then resort to bench players. That’s what they are there for…staying ready so they don’t need to get ready.
best comment ever.
I will count out Jovic from the group you mentioned, he is good.
It’s possible, It is my opinion,(and isn’t it fun to pretend like my opinion matters, that’s what’s so enjoyable to be on a sports blog), that the jury is still out on him.
The jury will not be waiting for long.
Unless the unexpected happens, I don’t see how he won’t be very good.
He has added down the lane run to the rim to his game. For a big guy that is very impressive. His 3 point strokes are smoother and more accurate . And considering his size, making mid range Js will even be better. IMHO.
I pray for health for him as for everyone.
Yeah, Niko was just coming into his own and I do not think it was a coincidence the team rotation and flow went to poop once he was hurt. 10 game losing streak.
He would be very useful last night. Both Bam and Ware has a lot of problems with Cornet. Another mobile big would do wonders.
True. Hey, I am on his side too. And, it’s important to watch the individual player, his stats, when he gets his points, how he handles himself, and if he gets targeted. But, looking at team play when certain combinations are in is also revealing. How has Jovic done from a team play perspective?
The team is playing optimally right now. This combo of players is getting results. Last night’s version of the Celtics would have beaten maybe twenty of the teams in the league, but we played too well for them. Any changes to this line-up better enhance it, which can be done but it isn’t easy, so let’s hope Jovic can.
jurys not out on pelle .def out on shnoz.
Question. You did a comparison between Pelle and the great Thunder Dan. When did you come up with that because after I saw you write that, Eric and Crotty said it?
before eric and crutty. i really believe the great eric reid has hhh open during the games somebody compared him to jj reddick i said more like our own thunder dan.
While I doubt Eric is looking at HHH during the games, if ever, props to you for doing that comparison first.
Yes, sir! Keys have been Herro getting back to AS form, Bam being on his own heater, combined with making shots and no Rozier or JJJ.
is your last name robinson jerky
with dunc jjj terry getting minutes we sukd
I already knew slo mo was a good addition, when some ppl doubted it, he’s a good bench guy, he could literally be a 6th,7th,8th, or 9th man on the bench. we should keep him along with burks,mitchell, jovic. Pelle really showed out, and will only get better. Also don’t downplay there victory, when we was missing players too,while Boston was at home on a win streak.