Celtics Overcome Heat with Fourth-Quarter Surge
In a commanding display, the Boston Celtics secured a 103-91 victory over the Miami Heat on Friday night, showcasing a strong fourth-quarter performance. Jayson Tatum led the way with 28 points, while Jrue Holiday contributed significantly with 25 points of his own. Derrick White also made his mark, scoring 18 as the Celtics made a distinguished 19 three-pointers throughout the game.
Struggles for Miami Heat
The Miami Heat, now on a six-game losing streak, dropped to an unfortunate eight games below .500. Andrew Wiggins was the standout for Miami, finishing with 23 points. Tyler Herro and Jaime Jaquez Jr. added 19 and 13 points, respectively, but the team struggled offensively against a solid Celtics defense. This season, the Heat have faced the Celtics three times, scoring 89, 85, and now 91 points in those games, each resulting in double-digit losses. Notably, this defeat marked the first time in franchise history that Miami had a winless five-game homestand.
Game Highlights
- The Celtics turned a one-point deficit into a nine-point lead with a 10-0 run early in the fourth quarter, demonstrating their ability to seize control when it mattered most.
- Boston set a rapid pace, hitting four three-pointers within the first 2:27 of the game—an impressive feat last seen in a playoff match against Philadelphia on May 5, 2023.
Roster Changes and Absences
Due to injuries and health concerns, the Celtics were missing key players, including Jaylen Brown (right knee) and Kristaps Porzingis (viral illness). Since the All-Star break, Brown has maintained a pattern of participating in three games before taking a brief hiatus, and he has followed this routine three times since February 20.
The Miami Heat featured a new starting lineup this game, with Duncan Robinson stepping in for Davion Mitchell and Jaquez for Kel’el Ware. This marked their first time playing together this season, highlighting Miami’s ongoing adjustments in search of synergy amidst their recent struggles.
What’s Next?
Both teams will return to action on Saturday, with the Celtics heading to Brooklyn and the Heat traveling to Memphis for another challenging matchup.
