Celtics vs. Heat score, takeaways: Jayson Tatum, Boston roll in Game 2 to even Eastern Conference finals

The Boston Celtics bounced again in a serious manner on Thursday evening, as they cruised to a dominant 127-102 win over the Miami Warmth in Recreation 2 of the Japanese Convention finals. The Celtics have now stolen home-court benefit and tied the collection, 1-1. Recreation 3 is ready for Saturday evening again in Boston.

Early on it was all Warmth, as they jumped out to a double-digit lead. That turned out to be the high-point of the evening for them, nonetheless, because the Celtics flipped the sport on its head, went on a 17-0 run and had a double-digit lead of their very own by the top of the primary quarter. They pulled away within the second quarter to take a 25-point lead into the break and the sport was by no means doubtful once more. Jayson Tatum led the way in which with 27 factors, 5 rebounds and 5 assists, whereas Jaylen Brown went for twenty-four factors and eight rebounds. 

Marcus Good, in the meantime, returned from a foot harm that saved him out of Recreation 1 to place up 24 factors, 9 rebounds, 12 assists and three steals. The Celtics had one other nice capturing efficiency, and went 20 of 40 from 3-point land.

Jimmy Butler led the Warmth with 29 factors and 6 rebounds, however he didn’t get a lot assist. Gabe Vincent, who completed with 14 factors, was the one different starter in double figures. The Warmth additionally misplaced PJ Tucker to a knee contusion, and his standing shifting ahead is unclear.

Listed below are some key takeaways from the sport:

Good exhibits out in return from foot harm

The Celtics had been with out each Marcus Good (foot pressure) and Al Horford (well being and security protocols) in Recreation 1, and so they had been sorely missed on each ends of the ground. Particularly, the Celtics may have used their management and poise when the Warmth went on their big run within the third quarter on Tuesday evening.

Each gamers had been again in motion in Recreation 2, nonetheless, and performed large roles within the Celtics’ win. Horford was an ideal 4 of 4 from the sphere, and completed with 10 factors, three rebounds and three assists. Good, although, was the true distinction maker. In considered one of his finest performances this postseason, he went for 21 factors, 9 rebounds, 12 assists and three steals. 

His protection, as at all times, was phenomenal, and his return made issues far more tough for the Warmth. 

“As at all times he units the tone,” Celtics head coach Ime Udoka mentioned. “Defensive Participant of the 12 months for a motive. Skill to modify and swap onto greater our bodies. Simply one other good defender to throw at (Jimmy) Butler and (Bam) Adebayo and a few of these guys, and never have to fret about them attempt to decide on sure matchups. He brings the physicality each evening. Kinda will get all people else in line.”

On the opposite finish, his playmaking was on level, as he made the correct learn again and again and took a number of strain off of Jayson Tatum. Pulling down a team-high 5 3-pointers actually did not damage, and as an exclamation level he made Max Strus fall with a bit of dribbling maneuver. 

Celtics’ first-quarter run proves essential

In Recreation 1 on Tuesday evening, the Celtics had been in entrance popping out of the halftime break, and appeared to have an opportunity to steal a win with out some key gamers. As a substitute, the Warmth went on a 22-2 run over five-plus minutes to flip management of the sport, and pulled away for a double-digit win. 

The reverse state of affairs performed out on Thursday evening — albeit a lot earlier within the recreation. Miami shot the ball extraordinarily effectively within the first couple of minutes, and took management with an early double-digit lead. That benefit did not final lengthy, The Celtics responded nearly instantly with on a 17-0 run to grab management, constructed an 11-point lead on the finish of the primary and by no means trailed once more. 

That 17-0 run was the Celtics’ longest of the whole postseason

C’s mild it up from 3-point land once more

The Celtics have had some big 3-point performances through the playoffs. Most notably, they knocked down 22 3’s of their Recreation 7 win over the Milwaukee Bucks within the second spherical. They had been proper again at it on Thursday evening, utilizing one other spectacular capturing show to take down the Warmth in Recreation 2. 

Good of all gamers led the way in which with 5 makes, whereas Tatum and Brown every knocked down 4. All informed, the Celtics went 20 of 40 from downtown for his or her best 3-point exhibiting of the playoffs. This was additionally their third playoff recreation with not less than 20 made 3-pointers, which is tied for probably the most in a single postseason by one staff. 

Whereas they shot the ball effectively all evening lengthy, the Celtics had been particularly sizzling to start out the sport. They went 9 of 11 from behind the arc within the first quarter, and hit 5 in a row throughout their game-changing 17-0 run. That form of capturing efficiency is simply demoralizing to the opposing staff, and the Warmth by no means recovered. 

Warmth dealing with extra potential harm issues

There was a number of deal with the Celtics’ harm issues in Recreation 1, with each Good and Horford unable to play. The Warmth, although, have some bother of their very own within the well being division. Veteran level guard Kyle Lowry is battling a hamstring downside, and hasn’t performed since Recreation 4 towards the Philadelphia 76ers within the second spherical. 

Now, the Warmth may additionally must keep watch over PJ Tucker. He left Recreation 2 with a knee contusion and didn’t play within the second half. Warmth head coach Erik Spoelstra mentioned that Tucker is adamant he’ll be prepared for Recreation 3, however he’ll bear additional analysis on Friday, together with an MRI per Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports. 

Tucker, 37, is likely one of the hardest gamers within the league, so you’ll in all probability guess on him taking part in. Nonetheless, this can be a concern for the Warmth as he is considered one of their most essential defenders.