The Miami Heat faltered once again inside Kaseya Center, dropping a 102-88 contest to the Boston Celtics Monday evening, falling to 3-1 in the series with a pivotal Game 5 coming Wednesday.
Behind too many mental lapses–in addition to a proverbial lid being on the rim–the Heat fell behind 15 with 3:39 left in the first quarter. Miami kept beating itself with ill-advised turnovers and faulty offensive process, though it did not help matters that Derrick White turning into the second coming of Stephen Curry. He scored 13 of Boston’s first 23 points–including an 8-0 run by himself against Miami’s amoebic zone.
The Heat never got the game back to single digits after the 4:29 mark in the first quarter, despite having multiple opportunities in the second quarter. Despite not being its dominant self offensively outside of White, Boston still closed the final five minutes of the first half on a 12-6 run to make a 17-point gap,
Exiting halftime wasn’t much better, as Miami buried itself in a 28-point hole that was too insurmountable to dig out of. Bam Adebayo’s left-handed lay-in made it a 13-point game with five minutes left, but an improper Heat flagrant followed by two back-to-back jumpers from White and Jaylen Brown quickly made it a 19-point–97-78–contest with 3:03 left. The flickering bulb officially shut on the Heat’s (fake) comeback, and potentially their season.
Adebayo led the Heat with 25 points, 17 rebounds and five assists on 11-of-22 shooting in 42 minutes. Tyler Herro was second on the Heat in scoring with 19 points, in addition to four rebounds and four assists on 8-of-17 shooting and 2-of-6 from 3-point range.
Despite a suboptimal first three quarters, Caleb Martin finished with 18 points on 6-of-14 shooting and 4-of-8 from 3-point range, adding five boards, two assists and a pair of steals. Jaime Jaquez and Patty Mills, who played a part in the Heat’s sizable comeback attempt, both finished with nine points apiece.
White led the Celtics with a career-high 38 points on 15-of-26 shooting and 8-of-15 from beyond the arc; Jayson Tatum had 20 points and 11 rebounds on 5-of-14 shooting; Jaylen Brown had 17 points on 7-of-18 shooting and Jrue Holiday tallied 11 points, six rebounds and six assists in 38 minutes.
The Heat did not play smart basketball for the better part of 48 minutes, which they cannot do against one of the best teams in basketball–especially when their counterpart is not at the top of their game. Boston shot just 41.9 percent and made 14 3s (on 37 attempts), though the Heat’s 40.7 percent shooting, 27.3 3-point efficient and 13 turnovers does not make matters better.
Miami will have its season on the line Wednesday evening inside TD Garden. It has not been good at home in the postseason over the last four years and has now lost six straight at home in the postseason (not including play-in).
It could have one last chance to save its season. But will it? Let us know what you think in the comments!
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This team sucks
It will be over soon. And all the positive vibes everyone tried to have will have been for naught. Look, Pat patched together a decent team, but injuries, and asking too much of the limited amount of players who could really perform at the highest level, did us in. It is time to go in a whole new direction, put together a team that plays like the current nba, not the 1970s . And time to send Pat back to his old Kentucky home, where fossils go to dwell, if he can’t evolve. Sure he made some smart moves, mostly in not signing players, but how about all the terrible ones over the last three years. Jimmy kept him afloat and kept everyone from seeing what a lousy job he was doing.
We need a new start, without Love, without Jovic, without Tyler, without Duncan. And without Jimmy who is too fragile now. That would start us in the right direction. And even then HHH, JRich, Bryant, they are just backups, and Bryant barely that. Caleb will be gone but he turned out to be just a sub too, and is no great loss. What it boils down to is we have two starters, (and a rotational player in JJJ) Bam and Terry, and Terry is just an average starter. We have some big holes to fill, it will take years. It is the end of an era.
Reality bites but until you honestly assess, you can’t start to improve. If we get rid of all the players above (the ones I said we should move on from), get some draft picks or two way players with it, we can start a “process” of our own.
well said agree 100% 30..pats time has come and gone.him and mickey are besties so hes not getting fired.hes been a blessing for us but its time for him to step down.just to many misses lately.3 keepers in bam terry jjj.gotta redo whole roster.might have to suk for a few years get some high picks.mediocrity blows ask the dolphins
I agree about your list of recent good moves by Riley. I refrained from listing all the misses but I believe it would be a fairly impressive list going back to 2021, where, before that, his great record of GM leadership was unassailable. After that, some of it was loyalty to players, particularly Duncan, and I am glad he got rewarded as he deserved it, but some of that money could have helped acquire other players. And some of his draft picks seem questionable in retrospect, even taking into account his midteen draft positions. You get only one draft choice a year, if that. You can’t take a chance, got to get at least a top eight player. Where he especially went wrong is the players he did pick up in the offseason who mostly turned out to be busts, although JRich was one of the better ones. And then there is the buyout players who, as they are likely to be, were hit or miss. And then there were all the great players that were available to team with Bam and Jimmy and all we got was Kyle, and then had to give up a pick to get Terry. Great players moved all over the league who would have gladly had Kyle’s salary.
I just stated my case against Pat. I know it’s an unpopular position, and I would rather Pat stay and just do better. But can he?
In synopsis, my thought is he acquired two terrific players in Bam and Jimmy, and when it had become apparent how good Bam was, he had like a three to four year window to pair them with one more high quality player, even an A- type, He never got us that third player who would have propelled us over the top, to have a parade. He did come close though, very close, especially the year against the Lakers. I don’t think injuries are why we lost to Denver, but against LA, it’s possible.
To me, it’s the end of the Jimmy era, and he never got the ring he deserved.
i think pat has tried to improve the roster but becuase of the players he drafted or glegaued nobody wanted them 30
It’s why when this season is over pat micky and andy should have a sit down with Jimmy. Thank him for all he’s done with this franchise and apologize for not being able to pair him with quality players so he can get a ring. Tell him y’all tried but were unsuccessful, even though everyone and their momma told Cronin not to deal dame to mia you tried. Tell him it’s just business never personal, ask him for a list of destinations to where he’d think he can win (also have your own list of places for him) preferably out west Houston Dallas OKC Minnesota New Orleans SAC. Are we gonna get fair trade for Jimmy no, but we can get prospects and good pieces for him as those places I’ve named have young talent on their rosters even on the bench. Sorry for the long post and as always this is my opinion
I’ve said the same thing. Agree. I also pointed out that if you can get 2 players and 5 second round picks for Jae Crowder, you should get a decent return for Butler.
In the past, hfl has accused you of waffling, so I guess it’s my turn, though you know we agree on plenty of issues. After game 2, you were gushing how remarkable the win was and gave a mea culpa for doubting. The last 2 games basically were a microcosm of the inconsistency we’ve seen all season. Of course, injuries have really affected us.
I wish you would specifically say what those terrible moves were over the last 3 years and what alternatives there were while keeping the salary cap and availability of certain players in mind. I was staunchly against the Lowry contract (not Lowry himself necessarily), and I didn’t like the Duncan contract from the start. The Herro contract positions him where some players making less are better, but other players making more or similar are worse (like Hayward or Cam Johnson). So the contract is not really out of line.
We agree on Jaquez, who will continue to get better. But we disagree on Jovic. He’s in his first true year, has size, defends well, gets up the floor quickly, and despite some sloppiness to be expected from a 20 year old, has passing and shooting ability. And he’s on a rookie contract. Definitely not a player that you look to get rid of. If you look at that draft, there are at least 10 players chosen before him that are not as good.
I think, with some astute moves, the team will be fine and exciting next season and beyond. However, knowing Riley desperately wants that one last ring, he may go in the other direction. There’s already talk about Durant.
I checked Boston site.
A lot of moaning about dirty Heat players, especially Bam.
And his illegal screens.
Moving around, by or through screens is a basketball skill, plain and simple, as it is making good screens. For both you have to be smart, fearless, strong.
Funny, even Boston players are not complaining about Heat playing hard. Only Boston fans does.
The dirtiest play I can remember was foul of Brown on Duncan. The result could be a career ending injury.
But ok, its a game, he got his flagrant, and Dunc survived. I wished that somebody would kick that m…f…. in the ass, but it didnt happened, so I forgot about everything.
I respect Boston Celtics, and their players. But fans should be more reasonable. Those are basketball players, not primadonas.
A lot of long noses in NY.
There’s this saying in Filipino…
“Bato bato sa langit ang tamaan wag magagalit” just look it up via translation apps lol.
I’m really hoping I could say by tomorrow that we live to fight…you know the rest. Go Heat!
Filipino Slovenian translation.
Hit the sky like a rock, and dont get mad.
Really?
😆
And Milw also lives to fight another day. Without their top 2 players. Hmmm…seems a trend? Can Heat ride that trend hehe. We hope.
bobby portis got some offensive skills wish bam had
You claim to know bb but bail out, give up on ur team when everything is stacked against them like last yrs playoffs where you keep counting them out every single game specially when Heat down double digits. You’ve been part of that group giving 3% chance to your own team. Really, really funny. And at the same time seem a bit sad. I’m done. One more game. Go Heat!
joking around everybody on hhh has some bball iq manila,its a game have fun,heat win or lose doesnt change my life one milimeter.
thats not true by the way we had jimmy
I’m with hfl, some of his negative comments have been right. Some critical commentary has been proven to have been correct. Miracles only happen once in a blue moon, not every year. That is why they are miracles. Last year was wonderful. This year was to be expected.
Don’t ask everyone to buy the kool aid. I appreciate it too, but the full spectrum of opinions is much better, and usually much more accurate.
im 68 years old know hoops i think.criticism part of sports.love the heat but theres alot of dead wood on this roster.gotta praise when deserved criticized when deserved.its just the way sports is
can i get me a bobby portis pf
2wagners isacc pablo can we have one please orlandos greedy we have no legit pfs.
Bam is a legit pf, maybe we can trade Martin for mo Wagner, since they need 3 pt shooting,and mo is the least talented of the 2 wagners. Also Isaac would be a decent 3 and d pf.
orl dont need all 4 big ill even take a wendell carter over jovic big
I still say, even with his occasional good game, Jovic is nothing more than about the equivalent in effectiveness of Yurt, even though their games are very different. And two years from now he will be at the end of a bench. I remember everyone hoping for Yurt to reach his potential too. I, btw, was not one of those people.
yert when he played for a month when bam was injured looked really good getting lots boards and even scoring.bam comes back never sniffed legit pt
Do you really think he will be good? I think he is a 7-9 man in a rotation, which is really quite good.
needs an oppty to show himself when bam wasout he looked very good 30.
im watching all the games who plays like jovic.anybody out there remind u of jovic.
Ak47,Danilo gallinari, deni avdija?
jovic got a better handle than italian stallion.danilo way more physical.jovic gonna have to get that nasty gene in him,nice guys on the ct in nba dont work. sneaky dirty bams gotta get little nastier btw
What about Andrei krilenko?
kirilenko way more athletic and tougher than niko.diff type player.i was thinking maybe tony kukoc 2.0
Avdija is far better. But, his game evolved to this level only this year. Gallinari was far better too in his prime.
Ik they’re better, just giving player comp.
u would think that with jim terry down mr max contract just might try to put up a 40 20 game but no typical non impactful 20 10 sht
Sixers live to fight another day hoping Heat can do the same. Joel and Bam are notorious in NY maybe they can join forces in Miami and wreck havoc in east lol.
Lowry: 0 points, 2 rebounds, 5 assists.
he knows he suks cant move plays within his game
spo would bring embid off the bench hes against plaaying 2 big men on floor at same time
Not true, he would play 2 bigs if one can shoot, and Joel is a career 34 percent shooter from 3.
just kidding big little sarcastic.2 top 25 players whether they could shoot or not why would they not start and play 35 mins,i think orobs got something there spo never plays him or very SPOradically.seen some wow moments from him .should have been paired with bam all year
anybody still want ty and dunc on team
We gonna trade them and Martin to Utah (gonna throw in H4L for free). I hear it’s nice this time of year.
if i can bring yert back to miami in a deal i would happily go to utah.but hhh has to be in the deal with me also. so i can continue to teach yall about basketball especially my fav student the one and only rc who will get his hfl college degree next year after he finally realizes dunc and ty cant bang with the athletes of the modern day nba,knicks had as many offensive rebounds tonight as the heat has had the whole series with boston.
Another brilliant idea. If we just get Yurt with his career 5ppg, 5rpg, 65% ft%, and 21% 3p%, we’ll be an instant contender. But, of course, every coach just must be using him wrong.
You can keep your Belgian college degree. I know you have the art of ‘waffling’ down to a science, but I’m not interested in learning it. I like to evaluate people and players the old fashioned way – with adequate sample sizes and facts.
Jaquez is our second best player. Jaquez is a bum. Wow, Jaquez!
Is there anything that Jovic can’t do? He’s not an nba player. He’s a very good defender. Who plays like Jovic?
Precious is a bust. Boy, I sure wish we had Precious.
And on and on and on…….A legend in your own mind.
youngens are up and down rc after 3 years we know what we have
precious is bam with a little less offense
embids such a dirty player.f him go ny
Breaking news (no pun intended):
Jaime Jaquez becomes latest injury concern for undermanned Heat vs. Celtics
Some issue with his right hip.
All year we’ve been plagued with injuries 😪 at least Cain will get some playoff experience with some pt.
unfortunately, no. He’s not eligible on the 2 way contract
Oh darn smh 🤦, well maybe they can do an ultra big lineup of herro,Martin,jovic,bam,Orlando or love(wishful thinking)
Ouch! We cnt catch a break…can you play RC?
breaking news rc like 70 years old manila
Play chess so you won’t get hurt. That was unintentional. Believe whatever you want that’s ur team we’ll just stand up for ours. Congrats in advance it maybe ur time just dnt fumble it, the east is Celts to lose. Still go Heat. One more game.
Oh while they’re at it maybe they can blame KP’s injury to Bam as well. So if they come up short they’ll have an excuse.
Cody Martin tries to take Tatum out in Game 1, Bam tries to take Tatum out in Game 4, Hey maybe 3rd time is the charm in game 5. Dirty ass Heat Culture.
Caleb*
caleb just plays out of control.bam is sneaky dirty,tatums ok hes young.porzingis injured himself again.
Cody did it from the stands? We have a guy named Caleb, which shows you don’t know WTF you are talkin about. Tatum tried to shoot the ball in Bam’s face after the whistle blew. F*** Tatum. Primadonna B****. Take two starters and a rotation player out of Boston’s line-up and see how far they go. They’ve been lucky so far. I have a feeling their luck is about to run out. Any of the top three Western Conference teams will kill them if they get to NBA finals. They still need to get by the Knicks, who are also not fully healthy. One or two injuries to Boston players and Celtics will be sucking wind…again.
A team that starts 5 first round picks, 3 of which were top 4, and 7 first round picks out of the 9 who played, and they think beating a depleted squad is a great accomplishment.
You’re putting words in my mouth now? I know its not an accomplishment, but getting out of this series alive will be.
Did you see anywhere that I referenced you in that comment? No. I was making a general comparison between the two.
I corrected my mistake which shows you can’t read. Players take shots all the time after the whistle is blown, you know what doesn’t happen, that bullshit Bam pulled. People keep defending Bam for not being a dirty player, but players keep getting hurt when he’s around. And wishing injuries on another team shows this fanbase is as classy as its players.
You better work on your own reading skills. The reference was NOT wishing your players get injured, but rather that OUR team is missing key players. And if any team, not just yours, loses 2 starters for the playoffs, they are at a disadvantage. We understand that this happens to teams every season. Now it just happens to be us, the Bucks, and the Pelicans.
Despite our resident negative Nelly, the Bam play was entirely unintentional. Idiot Tatum shouldn’t have shot the ball well after the whistle blew. Opposing players routinely try to swat the ball away when a ball is shot after a whistle. Bam turned away, stepped into the landing area, and Tatum unfortunately landed right on Bam’s foot. A flagrant foul by definition, but not intentional or dirty. I’m sure an idiot like you will be back after you win this series, which you should. But here’s a suggestion: why don’t you show up AFTER you win the championship, something you haven’t done in 16 years. Anything less would be an embarrassment and total failure of the season.
“Entirely unintentional” should be Bam’s new nickname. People keep defending him, saying he’s not dirty, while names of players getting hurt in his presence continues to climb. Also, what’s with the name calling? Does that make you feel like a man or something
Both broadcast teams felt it was unintentional. Since Bam looked away as he swatted at the ball, he could not have known exactly where Tatum’s feet would come down. Bam ended in the landing zone and was correctly assessed a flagrant foul. As for the name calling, I think that any fan of another team that comes here to troll is an idiot. If you think the ‘dirty ass Heat culture’ is not trolling, that’s on you.
bam is sneaky dirty rc
Your opinion does not make it fact
If the shoe fits, good luck on the tear down.
Tell the oregoner he’s an idiot then as well, this is what he said on Celticsblog after game 2.
If I’m the Celtics, here’s my biggest concern:
The Celtics HATE playing against the Heat. And the Heat LOVE playing against the Celtics
Lol, that’s between you and him
gotta back your heat bro
No. Go to other sites to talk trash, you’re on your own.
i go to other teams sites other fans are welcome if they bring good stuff
We’re still waiting for you to bring ‘good stuff’! 😆
there not winning it all prob get out of a weaker eastern conf.think the celts are like 6th best team overall denv minn okc dallas lal prob all better.
was there one fkn time this year when terry ty jim and bam were on the ct together.boston u were lucky we werent whole
You are right. Last night you could see some of Boston’s limitations. We will never know, but I believe if Jimmy and Terry were there, it would have been a battle.
Jim, Terry and Josh = 47 points.
boston loses with those guys playing its killing me(rc might like that) knowing there all injured fk fk fk.holiday not same player. playoff father time jim always outplays jt jb.u guys caught a break this year.wish u the best going forward
This was a tough loss.
I was a little perplexed at how honest SVG was on the broadcast. That we just weren’t hitting open looks.
It’s also really really tough to consistently breakdown a defense with only Herro as the ball handler–he tried though!
ty always gives effort like dunc dont just have nba bodies to play at a high level
A hard loss to swallow.
That was hard to watch.
Its just that Heat time right now is like a car, missing 3 wheels.
I dont blame players. They play hard.
I dont blame coach. He is the best in the league.
Still, its clear, that this is not the way ahead. We need more talent.
A lot more talent.
almost every team besides a few need more talent.we will be competing with about 30 other teams for talent.good luck to pat in the off season it only takes a few good moves to change the look of a team.
Bout30, man. Yes, this should mark the end of an era, the Jimmy years. No way we can run it back again. Old players are taking a hit all around the league. Teams are getting a clear message, avoid the aging superstar with their onerous contract. Hopefully Pat can be less stubborn and realize when to start over. Unless the younger whale falls into our lap….But noone over thirty two.
I’m doing whatever I can and trading whoever I can to pillage from Minnesota and the thunder roster I’d even throw New Orleans in there
One more game. Got burned by DWhite. Respect. Really a baller. Lots of offensive weapons these Celts and can play D also. Grit, grind, and heart not enough for the undermanned Heat. But one more chance, one more opportunity. Lets Go Heat! One last ride?