76ers Rival Watch: Celtics Make It a Series vs. Heat

After being one game away from sweeping the Boston Celtics, the Miami Heat find themselves in a competitive series as the Boston Celtics are beginning to hit their stride when they need to the most.

Following a Game 4 win in Miami, the Celtics managed to take the series back to Boston on Thursday night. With Miami down another man, as Gabe Vincent sat out with a sprained ankle, the Celtics were looking to take full advantage of a further undermanned Miami team.

From the jump, the Celtics were putting together a dominant performance. With the team knocking down over 50 percent of its shots and Jayson Tatum and Derrick White combining 23 points, the Celtics managed to outscore the Heat 35-20 in the opening quarter.

By the second quarter, the Heat found themselves behind by as many as 20 points. While they nearly traded each basket with the Celtics, missing one fewer shot, Miami’s first-quarter dominance gave them a comfortable enough lead to stay out in front by double digits going into halftime.

At the start of the second half, the Celtics continued shooting at a high percentage, knocking down 67 percent of their field goals. While Miami clapped back with a 77 percent shooting quarter, they didn’t have the volume to chip away at Boston’s lead.

Heading into the fourth quarter, the Heat trailed 90-72. It was only a matter of time before Miami decided to clear the bench and look ahead to Game 6. Heat star Jimmy Butler played just two minutes in the final quarter. While the Heat left Kyle Lowry and Kevin Love out to compete, most of the fourth quarter featured reserves.

The Celtics put the Heat away with a 110-97 victory. In a series where they looked lost and ready to have the brooms taken out on them, Boston is suddenly within striking distance as they are down just 2-3 heading into Game 6, which will take place on Saturday night in Miami.