The Miami Heat continued their short home stand as they hosted the Boston Celtics. Last season, the Celtics swept their regular season series with the Heat, despite losing third place in the Eastern Conference standings. Heading into this game, the Heat would have to win on their home court, while the Celtics look to improve their record.
In the first quarter, Miami scored five quick points, but the Celtics would answer back on a nine to two run, led by Avery Bradley and Isaiah Thomas. Miami would end the scoring run with a free throw from Derrick Williams, followed by a layup from Luke Babbitt. Jae Crowder would get himself on the board for Boston with three free throws, but Babbitt would tie the game at 12 with a mid-range basket. Amir Johnson and Kelly Olynyk (pronounced Ol-lin-neck), would put the Celtics ahead with a pair of baskets. Miami ended the quarter on a six to five run as Boston led 21 to 20.
In the second quarter, Boston went on a eighteen to four run, led by Terry Rozier, Tyler Zeller, Bradley, and Olynyk. The Heat would end the scoring, thanks to Goran Dragic and Wayne Ellington, who officially made his Heat debut. With Boston leading 39 to 25, McGruder made a tough layup for Miami, but Bradley would and Crowder would pick up the scoring load for the Celtics. By halftime, Boston led 48 to 31.
Into the third quarter, Williams and Dragic would get Miami going with a pair of three-pointers and a few baskets, while Bradley and Crowder did the same thing for Boston. Thomas would get a three-pointer of his own as Boston led 60 to 41. After the timeout from Miami, the Heat would go on a twelve to four run, led by Hassan Whiteside and Dragic. Olynyk ended Miami’s scoring run with two free throws, followed by a pair of three-pointers from Crowder and Thomas. Whiteside continued the scoring load for Miami, while contending against Olynyk, Thomas, and Zeller. Ellington ended the third quarter with a big basket for the Heat as the Celtics led 83 to 73.
As the fourth quarter commenced, Boston went on a seven to two run, led by Olynyk and Marcus Smart. With the Celtics leading 90 to 75, Ellington and Dragic picked up the scoring load for Miami, as they try to rally the Heat back into the game. With the Celtics leading 96 to 81, Whiteside helped Ellington and Dragic on the scoring end for Miami, but it would be Thomas to seal the victory for the Celtics as they won 112 to 104.
The Heat could’ve won this game, had it not been for their crucial misses at the free throw line and even their collapse in the second quarter. The good news for the Heat is that, they have Goran Dragic and Willie Reed back in the lineup and the shooting prowess of Wayne Ellington, which is much needed for Miami’s offense. The bad news is that Miami were without one of their primary scorers in Dion Waiters, who was out with a groin injury, Tyler Johnson, who had oral surgery adand Justise Winslow, who is still sitting out with a wrist injury.
Even more bad news for Miami was that the Heat tied a season low for a quarter with 12 points in the second, going into halftime down 48-31. They established a season best with 42 points in the third, yet Boston maintained a double-digit lead.
”They went on a run in the third quarter, but any way we can get road wins we’re going to take them,” Thomas said.
”We took what the defense gave us,” said Boston’s Kelly Olynyk, who had 14 points. ”We just kind of found ways to score however they were guarding us.”
For the Celtics, Isaiah Thomas had 25 points, Avery Bradley with 18 points, Jae Crowder made 17 points, Marcus Smart with 12 points, and Tyler Zeller had 10 points.
For the Heat, Goran Dragic led the way with 27 points, Josh Richardson had 12 points, Rodney McGruder made 11 points, and Hassan Whiteside with a double-double of 25 points and 17 rebounds.
The next game for the Heat is when they hit the road to face the Denver Nuggets. That game starts Wednesday at 9pm and will be televised locally on Sun Sports and nationally on NBA League Pass.
The Heat Check Magazine 