Celtics torch Heat early, even series with 102-82 blowout
BOSTON (AP) — The Miami Heat left Jayson Tatum mendacity on the courtroom with a ache in his neck within the closing minutes of Recreation 3.
The Celtics All-Star did his half to ensure the Warmth have been hurting after Recreation 4.
Tatum scored 31 factors and Boston took its flip pounding Miami early, leaping out to a 26-4 lead and cruising to a 102-82 victory that evened the Japanese Convention finals at two video games apiece.
“Clearly, we knew how vital this recreation was,” Tatum stated. “Everyone simply needed to provide you with a unique sense of urgency.”
Miami missed 15 of its first 16 pictures as this weird sequence produced one other recreation that was all however over after 12 minutes. The Warmth led 39-18 after the primary quarter of Recreation 3.
Boston improved to 5-0 this postseason following a loss. Coach Ime Udoka stated the problem is discovering extra consistency.
“Simply received to muster that very same power after we got here off a win in addition to a loss,” Udoka stated. “This can be a three-game sequence now. Can’t at all times simply flip the mindset after we come off a loss and get a little bit determined.”
Recreation 5 is Wednesday in Miami.
Payton Pritchard had 14 factors for the Celtics. Derrick White added 13 factors, eight rebounds and 6 assists, and Robert Williams completed with 12 factors and 9 rebounds.
“We simply needed to up the trouble all-around,” Williams stated.
The Celtics led by 27 factors within the second quarter and stretched their benefit to 32 within the third. Every recreation on this sequence has featured a lead of at the least 20 factors, and none has been shut down the stretch.
Victor Oladipo led the Warmth with 23 factors. Miami’s beginning 5 of All-Star Jimmy Butler (six factors), Kyle Lowry (three factors), P.J. Tucker (no factors), Max Strus (no factors) and Bam Adebayo (9 factors) have been a mixed 7 of 36 taking pictures. All of them sat out the fourth quarter.
“They got here out and jumped us,” Warmth coach Erik Spoelstra stated. “We’re not making any excuses. They outplayed us tonight for certain. We by no means might get any sort of grip on the sport.”
And the Celtics stymied the Warmth with out Defensive Participant of the Yr Marcus Sensible, who sat with a sprained proper ankle he suffered within the second half of Recreation 3.
The Warmth have been with out Tyler Herro, who suffered a groin harm late in Recreation 3.
Butler was within the beginning lineup after lacking the second half of Recreation 3 with swelling in his proper knee. Lowry (strained left hamstring), Strus (strained hamstring) and Tucker (left knee irritation) all examined their accidents pregame earlier than being cleared to go.
“It’s part of playoffs. You study to adapt,” Adebayo stated. “Guys being out, guys taking part in half, guys taking part in 20 minutes within the recreation, simply relies upon. You’ve simply received to discover a technique to win.”
Boston’s Williams returned after lacking a recreation with soreness in his surgically repaired left knee.
Even with their banged-up roster, the Celtics loved their quickest begin of the sequence. Beginning instead of Sensible, White scored the sport’s first seven factors as Boston took an 8-0 lead.
It shortly grew to 18-1, with Miami misfiring on its first 14 pictures. The Warmth didn’t get their first factors till Adebayo’s free throw on the 7:56 mark. Miami made its first subject aim at 3:22, a 3-pointer by Oladipo, and completed the quarter 3 for 20.
The Celtics took a 29-11 lead into the second quarter and led 57-33 on the half.
TIP-INS
Warmth: Shot 33% (30 of 90). … Completed with 64 bench factors. … Miami had one level within the first eight minutes, the bottom complete by any group in a playoff recreation within the final quarter-century, based on ESPN Stats & Data.
Celtics: Outrebounded Miami 20-8 within the first quarter. … A number of present and former New England Patriots have been within the crowd, together with Devin and Jason McCourty, Malcolm Butler and Damien Harris.
STARTING DIVE
Per ESPN Stats & Data, the 18 factors scored by Miami’s starters is the bottom complete by a beginning 5 in a playoff recreation since starters have been first tracked starting in 1970-71.
TURNOVER FORMULA
After ending with 23 turnovers in Recreation 3, the Celtics had 9 in Recreation 4. They improved to 10-2 this postseason once they have 15 or fewer turnovers. Boston is 0-3 when it has 16 or extra giveaways.
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Kyle Hightower, The Related Press
