With 26 points from Jayson Tatum, the Celtics defeat the Heat 110-106 despite a late comeback.
For Boston, Jrue Holiday scored 15 points and Jaylen Brown scored 20.
Miami (AP) — With 26 points, 10 rebounds, and 9 assists from Jayson Tatum, the Boston Celtics defeated the Miami Heat 110-106 on Sunday despite a late comeback.
Boston made 16 of 39 3-pointers, led by Kristaps Porzingis with 25 points, Jaylen Brown with 20 points, and Jrue Holiday with 15 points.
This season, the Celtics have defeated the Heat in all three of their meetings, and they have won six of their previous seven meetings. After Boston forced the decisive game after losing the first three, the game took place in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference finals of the previous season.
The Celtics’ coach Joe Mazzulla stated, “You have to set the table in terms of late-game execution.” “Our guys did that, I believe.”
Terry Rozier and Josh Richardson were lost to injuries for Miami. Midway through the third quarter, Rozier, who finished with 13 points, drove to the basket and landed awkwardly on his right leg, obviously favoring his knee. Monday’s MRI examinations for both players are scheduled, according to coach Erik Spoelstra.
“Watching guys like that go down is tough,” Robinson remarked. “To put it mildly, Jimmy’s handling of what he’s handling is unfortunate.”
Richardson withdrew in the second quarter because of a right shoulder injury. His attempt to take the ball away from Tatum was fruitless, and he collapsed to the ground in agony.
Thank heavens my shoulder came back in when I was lying on the ground after I felt it pop out on the floor, Richardson remarked. “Tomorrow, I’ll know more.”
In the early part of the fourth quarter, Robinson battled for position with Brown, and Brown shoved him off into the stands. Robinson also favored his left shoulder. Following a verbal argument between Brown and Robinson, Brown was given a flagrant 1 foul.
To be honest with you, I simply believed it to be a dirty play. Simply believed it to be excessive, needless, and hazardous,” Robinson added.
With 1:49 remaining, Herro’s 3-pointer brought Miami within 106-104 after the team had rallied from a 15-point hole in the third quarter. However, Tatum and Porzingis each made two free throws to seal the victory.
“I thought our group showed a tremendous amount of grit in that second half,” Spoelstra said. “A number of factors, including the injuries, weren’t exactly going our way. It’s a testimony to how hard the players were playing to really fight back and take control of the game.
