Keys to the Game: Celtics 116, Heat 99

One might assume that an 18-0 run during the third quarter would need to be chosen as the Key Moment of Game 4. However, it was what happened after that 18-0 run that determined the outcome of the contest.

Boston’s 18-0 spurt turned a nine-point deficit at the 10:39 mark of the third quarter into a nine-point lead at the 6:24 mark. Miami did not fade, however, and the Celtics needed even more juice the rest of the way in order to log their first win of the series.

The Heat cut Boston’s lead back down to four on two occasions during the final five minutes of the third. The Celtics responded each time, first with five straight points, and then with six straight points.

Another response, possibly even more critical, arrived during the early minutes of the fourth quarter. Miami scored the first four points of the final period to pull back within five. Yet again, the Celtics responded – this time after a timeout by Joe Mazzulla.

Mazzulla called the timeout to get Jayson Tatum back into the game and that decision was monumental. Tatum immediately flashed to the center of Miami’s zone defense, caught an entry pass from Grant Williams, turned, and swished home a jumper from the free-throw line. That bucket bumped Boston’s lead back up to seven.

Miami then missed a 3-pointer on its ensuing possession and that’s all the C’s needed to take complete control of the game. Jaylen Brown threw down a loud slam just five seconds after that missed 3 and Boston went on to complete a 12-0 run to pull ahead by 17 with 7:25 remaining. That stretch broke the Heat’s will and deposited the victory into Boston’s back pocket.

There were plenty of comments following Game 3 that questioned Boston’s fortitude, and rightfully so. Those voices had better be just as loud following these consistent responses from the Celtics throughout the second half of Game 4.

Jayson Tatum looked like Jayson Tatum again Tuesday night. And yes, that includes during the fourth quarter.

Tatum scored 11 of his game-high 33 points during the final frame of Game 4, and 25 overall during the second half. He finished the contest having made 14 of his 22 shots from the field, four of his eight 3-pointers, and one of his two free throw attempts. No other player in the game made more than nine shots.

The superstar wing also notched his 12^th double-double in 17 games this postseason by hauling in a game-high 11 rebounds. Ten of those boards were captured at the defensive end – four more than any other player in the game.

So, he led the game in scoring. He led the game in rebounding. What else could he possibly have done? Oh, just led the game in assists and blocks as well.

Tatum dished out seven helpers on the night to lead all players. Five of those assists were dished out during the second half, compared to just one turnover. He also logged two blocks at the defensive end of the court to tie for the game’s top mark. That means Tatum led the game outright in points, rebounds and assists, and tied for the game high in blocks, all while shooting 64 percent from the field.

That, folks, is utterly ridiculous.

- Boston outscored Miami by 30 points from beyond the arc (54-24).

- Jayson Tatum tied or led the game outright in points (33), rebounds (11), assists (seven) and blocks (two).

- Tatum's 14 made field goals were five more than any other player.

- Caleb Martin led all reserves with 16 points.

- Grant Williams led Boston's bench with 14 points and six rebounds. He was a plus-15 in the plus/minus category.

- Al Horford stuffed the stat sheet with 12 points, seven rebounds, four assists and one blocked shot.

- Boston dished out 28 assists compared to just 10 turnovers.

- Jimmy Butler led Miami with 29 points.