Game story:
Game 2 featured another memorable performance from the Miami Heat against the Boston Celtics. They bounced back and upset the Celtics inside TD Garden, 111-101. Miami stole home-court advantage and knotted the series at 1-1. They were 14.5-point underdogs heading into the night.
Coach Erik Spoelstra improved to a 10-3 record in the playoffs following a game 1 loss.
Today will be a pivotal game 3 inside the Kaseya Center, with the undermanned Heat looking to carry over some adjustments that worked in the previous game. Miami took and made more 3-pointers, dropping 23 total in what was a franchise playoff-high. They shot 49% from the field and 53% from deep.
Basically the Heat beat the Celtics in their own game, attempting 11 more long range shots. The increased volume and efficiency was needed to keep up with this Boston offense.
Courtesy to Bam Adebayo, they also held 7’3 shooter Kristaps Porzingis in check. He was virtually nonexistent offensively, going just 1/9 from the field in the game. In all the losses that the Heat have suffered against the Celtics this year, both regular season and postseason, Porzingis was a legitimate x-factor. Removing his abilities to spread the floor and impact the game on offense makes this Boston team much more similar to last season.
Tyler Herro was the hero that the Heat desperately needed, putting together a 24/14/5 performance on 7/13 shooting and 6/11 from three. His playmaking with the 14 assists was impressive and exactly what Miami had to get out of him. Spoelstra acknowledged postgame it was the “best playmaking” of his career.
Without the services of Jimmy Butler and Terry Rozier, Herro’s ability to create offense for himself and others is critical.
Adebayo was in his bag offensively as well, hitting shots at the rim and knocking down that mid-range at a confident pace. Every time the Heat needed a big bucket, he was there to step up. Adebayo finished with a 21/10 double-double on 9/13 shooting.
The game 2 win also featured the return of Eastern Conference finals Caleb Martin. He was an x-factor and added a big boost as a headlining supporting cast player. Martin totaled 21 points on 7/12 shooting and 5/6 from 3-point range.
The Heat’s long range shooting needs to continue if they want to earn a 2-1 series lead this evening in front of their home fans. Tip-off is set for 6:00 PM EST on TNT.
Injury Report (at the time of this publishing):
Miami Heat:
- Delon Wright (personal reasons) — QUESTIONABLE
- Jimmy Butler (MCL) — OUT
- Terry Rozier (neck) — OUT
- Josh Richardson (surgery) — OUT
Boston Celtics:
- Luke Kornet (calf) — OUT
Projected Starting 5 (subject to change):
Miami Heat:
- Tyler Herro, G
- Caleb Martin, G
- Jaime Jaquez Jr, F
- Nikola Jovic, F
- Bam Adebayo, C
Boston Celtics:
- Jrue Holiday, G
- Derrick White, G
- Jaylen Brown, F
- Jayson Tatum, F
- Kristaps Porzingis, C
Betting Lines:
- Check the current odds out at FanDuel!
Broadcast Info:
- Tipoff: 6:00 PM EST
- TV: TNT & Bally Sports Sun (Eric Reid, John Crotty)
- Radio: AM 560 Sports WQAM & The HEAT Radio Network (Jason Jackson)
- Spanish Radio: WAQI 710 AM & The HEAT Spanish Radio Network (José Pañeda)
Come back to Hot Hot Hoops at game time to join our GameThread and chat about the game live with other Heat fans!
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Ouch no Delon.
This is probably going to hurt.
He’s 6-5, savvy defender and a smart decision maker with the ball.
Without him, Jimmy, Terry and JRich we’ll be hard press to win the possessions battle in this game.
Patty is a championship playoff vet hopefully he can come in and shock some people in this game, if Spo decides to go that route.
Another name on the injury list. We can’t afford to lose anyone else. Maybe things will even up. If Tatum and Holiday got hurt, just for a month, that would be equivalent.
David vs Goliath Episode 3.
Wright is out. Next Man Up!
GO HEAT!!!
I hope Wright is able to play. I love the full court press and what it does to slow down Boston’s tempo and rhythym. The longer it takes them to set up their offense, the less effective it is. The press also gets all the Heat players in the right defensive frame of mind. Miami needs to go with it’s strength. Defense wins championships!
GO HEAT!!!
i am also hoping that Wright will be able to play. His defense helps prevent Celtics in having many mismatches to take advantage of.
That was a really fun game on Tuesday. But I’m keeping my expectations low. I’ll be happy if the Heat can split at home and go back to Boston 2-2. Forget about winning the series, let’s see if this undermanned Heat team can win another game.
I’m hoping the Heat are already making adjustments based on the expected Boston adjustments. Back cuts and ball movement to counter the increased pressure on the 3-point line. A little full-court press to force their crappy bench players to get more minutes.
Let’s go Heat!
Great battles gives birth to legends. This one created Code Red Caleb. And maybe the inception of Herro’s. Go Heat!
That win makes me thinking, that there actually is possible that Heat win this series, even without Butler.
There is a clearly a huge gap in talent, but there is also a huge gap in mental state.
The recipe for Celtics is clear. Keep it close to the end, and let Boston to beat itself at the end.
Let’s use the energy from the crowd to start fast as we know Boston will come out strong. Keep it close and let Boston fold at the end. If they don’t, we tip our cap to them and move on to game 4. 🙂
Go HEAT!