The Miami Heat built a commanding 19-point lead, only for the Boston Celtics' explosive fourth-quarter run to snatch victory, fueled by a comeback from a surprising bench spark.
Miami, FL - After snapping a three-game losing streak on Tuesday night against the Phoenix Suns, with a final score of 127-121, the Miami Heat sought back-to-back victories against the Boston Celtics. It was crucial to protect home court and maintain momentum as the regular season entered its midpoint.
Injuries continue to be the story for the Heat as Davion Mitchell (left shoulder contusion) and Jaime Jaquez Jr. (left knee soreness) were out for Thursday night's matchup against the Celtics. Meanwhile, superstar Jayson Tatum continues his recovery from a torn Achilles injury.
The starting lineups:
Heat: Tyler Herro-Norman Powell-Pelle Larsson-Andrew Wiggins-Bam Adebayo
Celtics: Payton Pritchard-Derrick White-Sam Hauser-Jaylen Brown-Neemis Queta
It was time for tipoff and the Heat wasted no time setting the tone, as Andrew Wiggins made a three-pointer from the left wing. Shortly after, they sparked a massive 25-5 run, led by Tyler Herro, scoring seven-straight points. The Heat were close to reaching 30 points before the Celtics reached double-figures as a team. The lead was as huge as 19 points, but in today's league, "it's a game of runs."
The Celtics' offense felt a boost shortly after Anfernee Simons came off the bench. After knocking down three three-pointers towards the end of the first quarter, the lead was cut down to 11, with a score of 36-25.
As the second quarter started, the Celtics scored nine straight points. However, Herro scored eight consecutive points, including a couple of three-pointers, in response. The Heat managed to close the first half ahead, but the momentum of the game shifted compared to the first quarter. The score was 64-54.
The Celtics grabbed 11 offensive rebounds and scored 22 second-chance points throughout the first half. That was the biggest difference in them making a comeback, despite a sloppy start.
After back-and-forth sequences, the Heat managed to end the third quarter with a 10-point lead, a score of 93-83. However, the final 12 minutes of the game were when it flipped.
The Celtics began the fourth quarter with an 18-7 run, which was capped off by a left-wing three-pointer by Sam Hauser, to give them the lead. That gave them all the momentum to take the victory, with a final score of 119-114.
Simons finished with 39 points, a new season-high, including seven three-pointers made, four rebounds, four assists, and a steal in 34 minutes. The eighth-year veteran was scoring from all over the court. Meanwhile, All-Star Jaylen Brown followed up with 27 points, 20 in the second half, and seven rebounds.
The Heat's trio of Norman Powell, Bam Adebayo, and Herro combined for 70 points. However, the Celtics won the battle on the glass, grabbing 51 rebounds, 18 of which came from the offensive glass, resulting in 31 second-chance points. Despite finishing with a better field goal percentage, 44.8, and three-point percentage, 35.7, the Heat didn't do the little things necessary to regain control.
What stands out the most is that Kel'el Ware didn't play in the second-half, even though he was available. Erik Spoelstra pointed out what wasn't going right during the game.
"It was a tough matchup for him," he said postgame on Thursday. "He just has to stay ready. He needs to get back to where he was eight weeks ago, when everyone in the building felt he was stacking good days. He's stacking days in the wrong direction now."
The second-year center finished with three points and five rebounds in nine first-half minutes.
The Heat's record fell back in the loss column, dropping the regular-season record to 21-20, eighth in the Eastern Conference.
"We feel like we're better than where we are," Spoelstra added. "We are what our record is right now."
They host a final home-game on Saturday, against the Oklahoma City Thunder, whom the Heat lost to on Sunday, Jan. 11th. Afterwards, the Heat will travel to the West Coast for five games.
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