After a tough loss on their court against the Western Conference leading Denver Nuggets, the Miami Heat returned back to action as they hosted the Boston Celtics. Last season, the Heat bested the Celtics in two out of three regular season games.
The first quarter saw an early explosive offensive showing from both teams, leading to a close 18 to 17 lead for Boston. After Dwyane Wade entered the game for Miami, they would go on an eleven to six run to close the first quarter, leading 28 to 24.
In the second quarter, Dion Waiters knocked down a three-pointer to keep Miami’s offense rolling, followed by a basket by Wade, while Marcus Morris looked to get Boston back on track with a few layups of his own. With Miami leading 44 to 37, after a few baskets from Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward for Boston, the Heat closed the second quarter on a ten to nothing run, which saw Derrick Jones Jr. make a buzzer beating three-pointer. Miami led 63 to 48 by the end of the second quarter.
Miami continued to pull away from Boston as the third quarter began, with James Johnson, Justise Winslow, and Josh Richardson led the way for them. With the Heat leading 72 to 52, the Celtics came rallying back on a twenty-one to three run, led by Marcus Smart, Irving, and Morris, but a three-point basket from Richardson ended the run, followed by another three-pointer, plus a layup from Wade. By the end of the third quarter, the Heat led 83 to 72.
As the fourth quarter commenced, Al Horford made a layup to get Boston’s offense going, but Miami responded with layups from Wade, free throws from Bam Adeayo (pronounced Ah-de-buy-yo), and a pair of three-pointers from Tyler Johnson, leading to a fourteen to six run. With Miami leading 96-75, Marcus Smart knocked down a three-pointer, only for Derrick Jones Jr. and Waiters to make three-pointers in response for the Heat. Miami held on through the end of regulation to come away with a 115 to 99 win.
For the Celtics, Kyrie Irving led the way with 22 points, Marcus Smart had 18 points, plus Jayson Tatum and Marcus Morris made 17 points each.
For the Heat, Dwyane Wade had 19 points, Josh Richardson made 18 points, Derrick Jones Jr. with 14 points, James Johnson had 12 points, Tyler Johnson made 11 points, and Justise Winslow with a double-double of 13 points and 11 assists.
The Heat host the Memphis Grizzlies at the American Airlines Arena. Game starts Saturday at 5pm and will be televised locally on Sun Sports.
The Heat Check Magazine 