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Key Moment
Boston’s bench has been killing it lately. And by ‘it,’ we mean opponents.
The C’s bench has been a key factor in Boston outscoring opponents during the fourth quarter this season by the largest margin in the league, at plus-4.4 on the season. They continued their strong play Monday night in Miami, but this time, they got started early.
Boston’s reserves accounted for 12 of the team’s first 18 points to start the second quarter against the Heat. Meanwhile, at the defensive end, the C’s limited Miami to only six points.
The run to start the second period lasted for seven minutes and eight seconds and pushed Boston ahead 39-25. Miami never trimmed that lead to fewer than eight points the rest of the night.
The C’s bench came together for a well-rounded effort to start the second period. Four different reserves scored during the run, led by five points from Terry Rozier. Kelly Olynyk (three points), Jonas Jerebko (two points) and Marcus Smart (two points) each pitched in a bucket as well.
This run was early, but it was the run that gave Boston a comfortable lead that would never be threatened.
Key Player
Kelly Olynyk quietly paced the C’s Monday night in Miami with one of his top all-around performances of the season. He did it all during Boston’s 112-104 win over the Heat.
Olynyk scored 14 points on only seven shot attempts, five of which he converted on. He shot 2-for-3 from long range and 2-for-2 from the free-throw line.
The 7-footer hauled in an impressive six rebounds during only 20-plus minutes of play. That total trailed only Tyler Zeller’s seven on the team. He also dished out four assists and blocked two shots, and Boston outscored Miami by 10 points during his time on the court.
Box Score Nuggets
- Two Miami players recorded monster double-doubles, led by a 27-point, 17-assist performance by Goran Dragic. Hassan Whiteside tallied 25 points and 17 rebounds.
- The contest featured only three ties and three lead changes.
- Whiteside's 17 boards were 10 more than any individual total by the Celtics.
- Isaiah Thomas led the C's with 25 points and eight assists.
- Six Celtics scored in double-figures.
- Miami scored 73 points during the second half after scoring only 31 points during the first half.
- Boston made five more 3-pointers than Miami (11 to six) while attempting three fewer (30 to 27).
- Kelly Olynyk (14 points) and Marcus Smart (12 points) led a strong performance by Boston's bench.
- The Celtics committed only 10 turnovers in the game, four more than Dragic committed all by himself.
- Avery Bradley totaled 18 points and six rebounds.
- Thomas shot a perfect 9-for-9 from the free-throw line.
Quote of the Night
Isaiah Thomas on the role he played during the end-of-game arguments between the Celtics and the Heat.