Key Moment
Boston’s offense went ice-cold at the worst possible time Friday night against Miami. Grant Williams put home a cutting dunk at the 3:52 mark to push the Celtics ahead 111-105, and from that moment on, they failed to score a field goal as Miami pulled off a 111-105 win.
The victory provides Miami with an improbable 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series.
Boston’s offense stalled out at the most critical juncture of the contest. Over the final 3:51, the Celtics shot 0-for-5 from the field while committing two critical turnovers. Miami turned all of those misses and turnovers into 15 points over the final 3:33 of the game.
Jayson Tatum was the only member of the Celtics who scored during the final 3:51. He scored five points, all of which were from the free-throw line. He made three freebies with 49.3 seconds left to cut Boston’s deficit to two, but Gabe Vincent answered back on Miami’s next possession with a stepback jumper to bump the Heat’s lead back up to four.
Tatum again cut Boston’s deficit down to two with two more free throws with 21.6 seconds left, but for a second time, Vincent answered back. This time he hit two free throws with 19.3 seconds left to ice the game.
Key Player
Jayson Tatum was the only member of the Celtics who had his game working at top level Friday night. As such, it’s no surprise that he led the team in points, rebounds and assists.
Tatum finished Game 2 as the leading scorer from either team with his 34 points. He made 10 of his 20 shot attempts, including a 7-for-10 performance from inside the arc. He also made 11 of his 12 free throws, both tallies of which were game highs.
In the rebounding department, Tatum hauled in 13 boards to lead Boston. Only Bam Adebayo, who hauled in 17 boards, grabbed more in the game.
Tatum rounded out his box score with a team-best eight assists. No other member of the team dished out more than three on the night.
Box Score Nuggets
- Robert Williams shot a perfect 5-for-5 from the field en route to 13 points.
- Miami's bench outscored Boston's 42-33.
- Jayson Tatum led the Celtics in points (34), rebounds (13) and assists (eight).
- Jimmy Butler led Miami with 27 points.
- Bam Adebayo nearly logged a triple-double with 22 points and game highs of 17 rebounds and nine assists.
- Caleb Martin led all reserves with 25 points.
- Miami grabbed nine steals, compared to Boston's two.
- Both teams scored 48 points in the paint.
- The Celtics outscored Miami 15-4 in fast break points.
- Five Celtics combined to block nine shots, led by two apiece from Al Horford, Robert Williams, Derrick White and Malcolm Brogdon.
Quote of the Night
"This is a series of discipline and mindset, and there was times throughout the game when we weren't the more disciplined team."
- Joe Mazzulla on what plagued the Celtics down the stretch