Surprising Victory
The Celtics, known for their strength and prowess, were expected by many to easily handle the Heat, especially without their “Sergeant” Jimmy Butler. However, in Game 2 of the first round of the playoffs, the Heat unleashed a barrage of three-pointers, shooting at a remarkable 53.5% from beyond the arc and sinking 23 threes. They clinched a surprising 111-101 victory, leveling the series at 1-1.
Early Shootout
In the first quarter, the Heat already showcased their outside shooting prowess, hitting 8 of 15 attempts from downtown. However, the Celtics’ star Jayson Tatum single-handedly kept them close with 14 points in the quarter, allowing the Heat only a one-point lead.
Brown’s Surge
The second quarter saw Jaylen Brown stepping up for the Celtics, scoring an impressive 15 points in the period and leading his team to a three-point advantage at halftime.
Turning the Tide
In the third quarter, the Celtics’ offense faltered as the Heat went on a 15-3 run, entering the final period with a six-point lead. Heat guard Tyler Herro played a crucial role in initiating the offense, dishing out 5 assists during key moments and contributing a crucial basket himself, laying the foundation for the Heat’s victory.
Record-Breaking Performance
The Heat’s three-point shooting was historic, with 23 made threes on 43 attempts, setting a franchise record for most threes in a playoff game. Their shooting percentage beyond the arc was an impressive 53.5%. Six players contributed with at least 2 made threes. Herro led the team with 24 points and 14 assists, while Adebayo added 21 points and 10 rebounds, and Martin scored 21 points on 5-of-6 shooting from three-point range.
Celtics’ Struggles
On the Celtics side, Brown led with 33 points and 8 rebounds, followed by Tatum with 28 points and 8 rebounds. However, Kristaps Porzingis had a dismal performance, shooting just 1-of-9 from the field and finishing with 6 points and 8 rebounds, with a plus-minus of -32. (55BMW)