Jim Rassol-USA TODAY Sports
Here's What Stood Out as Celtics Survive Heated Rivalry Clash in Miami
Sunday's Eastern Conference Finals rematch between the Boston Celtics and Miami Heat is a reminder that no matter the latter's record, it's a mistake to discount this team's chances of earning an extended stay in the playoffs.
The hosts were without Jimmy Butler, who's dealing with a family tragedy and the loss of a loved one.
They also saw Josh Richardson leave the game with a shoulder injury, and former Celtic Terry Rozier do the same because of a knee and ankle injury after a painful and awkward landing.
But even while missing their best player and trailing by 15 in the third frame, the Heat turned this into a tilt that came down to the wire, challenging Boston to execute in the clutch with the pressure building.
In a physical, tightly contested clash, the visitors passed the test, making winning plays and capitalizing on free throws that allowed them to seal a 110-106 win at the Kaseya Center.
Now for a deep dive into what stood out as the team atop the NBA standings improved to 41-12.
The Celtics were sharp in the first frame of their Super Bowl Sunday showdown vs. the Heat in South Beach.
They quickly made the correct reads consistently, leading to frequent paint touches, producing 18 of their 26 points from there and assisting on 7/12 field goals in the first quarter. That allowed them to overcome shooting 2/9 from three.
A prime example led to one of their long-range makes. Jaylen Brown utilized an escape dribble as the second defender, Jaime Jaquez Jr., arrived to help Tyler Herro.
Brown's kick-out pass to Jayson Tatum led to a downhill drive and a dish from the latter to Jrue Holiday. The two-time All-Star missed a layup, but he retrieved his miss and fed Brown for a three.
Kristaps Porzingis's impact as a screener and a seven-foot-three floor spacer was crucial to spreading Miami's defense thin, something the Latvian native often benefited from.
Porzingis put 11 points on the board, knocking down 5/8 shots. He also grabbed six rebounds and registered a rejection.
Boston's matchup zone seemed to disrupt the hosts' rhythm at the other end. But more than anything, Miami missed open looks.
The Heat shot 38.1 percent from the field, including 4/13 (30.8 percent) from beyond the arc, entering the second period down 26-22.
The visitors committing one turnover, limiting Miami to one trip to the free-throw line, and one offensive rebound while the C's generated a 7-0 edge in second-chance points was pivotal to that advantage.
The Celtics continued to play up-tempo and set effective screens that allowed them to dictate the terms of play in the second frame.
They assisted on 8/12 field goals and saw Tatum catch fire, drilling multiple threes off the bounce, entering intermission with 14 points after manufacturing ten in the 12 minutes before the break. He also distributed four assists in that stretch.
The five-time All-Star's standout second quarter helped put Boston in front 59-50 at halftime.
Porzingis produced 16 points, pacing all participants. Brown provided 12 on 5/10 shooting.
While the visitors found their rhythm from beyond the arc, converting on 6/11 (54.5 percent) of their threes in the last 12 minutes of the first half, lapses in focus led to Miami generating eight second-chance points on six offensive rebounds, helping the hosts stay within single-digits despite getting outplayed.
A 13-2 run by the Heat helped them outscore the Celtics 29-27 in the third frame. Twelve points from Herro and 16 in the paint as a team helped them cut their deficit from 15 to four before back-to-back threes by Holiday, who led Boston with nine points in the period, keyed the latter taking an 86-79 edge into the fourth quarter.
It's a testament to the former UCLA Bruin's ability to consistently step up as a scorer when another starter goes out. That could make sacrificing that much more challenging, but he's continued to star in his role, especially as the quarterback of the Celtics' defense.
Unfortunately, there were also a pair of injuries in the 12 minutes after halftime.
Porzingis suffered a lower back contusion but returned in the final frame.
However, after elevating for a layup, Terry Rozier immediately reached for his knee, which bent painfully upon landing. Hopefully, it's not as bad as it looked, but he exited the game, and Orlando Robinson attempted the ensuing free throws for him, making him ineligible to return.
The fourth quarter of this rivalry clash got chippy, including Brown receiving a technical for yanking Duncan Robinson's arm away after the two got tangled up.
The hosts responded to the intensity uptick by staging a 7-0 run, pulling within four, 96-92.
But even with the Heat producing ten points in the paint, six on second-chance points, and Herro, who generated 12 points in the third frame, then registering ten in the fourth, the visitors kept them at bay.
Brown buried a needed three with momentum on Miami's side. Porzingis then earned a Tommy Point, keeping a possession alive after the former missed a three. It led to Tatum going to the line and making a pair of free throws as "Let's go, Celtics" chants were ringing throughout the Kaseya Center.
Those two points put Boston ahead 110-104 with 14.1 seconds left, helping them close out a hotly contested Eastern Conference Finals rematch, earning a 110-106 win.
Tatum stuffed the stat sheet with 26 points and nine assists, both game-highs, a team-best ten rebounds, and two blocks in the victory. Porzingis provided 25 points, and Brown had 20.
Williams finished with 15 points, nine coming in the second half, and six assists. Al Horford registered three rejections, the most in the matchup, including one vs. Bam Adebayo at the basket, with Boston leading by five with 5:31 remaining.
After passing their latest crunch-time test and improving to 3-0 vs. the Heat this season, the Celtics have two games left before the All-Star break.
They now travel to Brooklyn for a showdown against the Nets on Tuesday night. That matchup will tip off at 7:30 EST.
Further Reading
Brad Stevens Sheds Light on Celtics' Motivations for Xavier Tillman Trade
Celtics Swing Savvy Deal with 76ers for Jaden Springer
Celtics React to Xavier Tillman Trade: 'We Paid a Lot of Attention to Him'
Marcus Smart Shares How Boston Shaped Him, His Message to Celtics Fans
Jayson Tatum Shares What Went Through His Mind Seeing Celtics Fans Celebrate Marcus Smart
Celtics Maturation Molded by Experience: 'It Builds, Like, an Armor'
Celtics Finding Joy in Basketball and Each Other's Company: 'We've Been Blessed'
Fixated on Winning, Jayson Tatum Again Proves He's Not 'Bored Making the Right Play Over and Over'
Jaylen Brown Quieting Doubters, Validating What He Always Believed: 'Earn Everybody's Trust'
Joe Mazzulla Discusses Identity, Evolution of Celtics' Offense: 'Balance of Pace and Execution'
Jaylen Brown Shares His View of What Defines 'Celtics Basketball'
