Leading up to their playoff clasҺ with Miami, the Celtics emphasized matching the physicality of a Butler-less Heat squad seeking an advantage. Boston not only met that challenge but exceeded expectations. Jayson Tatum delivered his inaugural playoff triple-double, registering 23 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists, propelling the Celtics to a commanding 114-94 victory over the Miami Heat in the opening game of their first-round playoff series on Sunday.
Derrick White contributed 20 points and four assists for Boston, with six players reaching double figures. The Celtics maintained a sizable lead throughout, stretching it to as much as 34 points in the fourth quarter. Although Miami staged a late rally, narrowing the deficit to 14, Boston ultimately secured the win.
Tatum acknowledged the demanding nature of playoff basketball, emphasizing the necessity of resilience. Reflecting on their previous playoff encounter with Miami, where the Heat dashed Boston’s NBA Finals aspirations, Tatum highlighted the importance of responding to challenges, which the Celtics did admirably.
Fuelled by the energy of the TD Garden crowd, Boston equaled a franchise playoff record with 22 3-pointers, dominating the Heat particularly in the third quarter, outscoring them 31-14.
Despite Miami’s efforts, including a 24-point performance from Bam Adebayo, they struggled to contend with Boston’s relentless pressure, especially on the оffеnꜱιυе glass, managing just five оffеnꜱιυе rebounds.
The game’s intensity boiled over in the final minutes, marked by a physical altercation between Caleb Martin and Jayson Tatum, resulting in double technical fouls.
Boston showcased depth and resilience, overcoming the absence of Luke Kornet due to ιnjᴜry. The absence of Miami’s star, Jimmy Butler, altered the dynamic of the game, with the Celtics capitalizing on their momentum from the regular season, where they won all three matchups against the Heat.
From the opening tip-off, Boston asserted its dominance, embarking on a 17-2 run fueled by Tatum’s playmaking and Jaylen Brown’s scoring prowess.
Overall, Boston’s comprehensive performance highlighted their readiness for playoff contention, setting the stage for an intriguing series against Miami.
