Boston Celtics v Miami Heat (Heat lead 1-0)
The Celtics were looking to avoid going down 0-2 to the scorching hot Heat. They came out right from the tip-off with one mindset; winning game two. They took an early lead and kept it through halftime, 60-47.
The Heat recovered the energy and grit they had lost to come back on the Celtics and held them to 17 points. They also turned up the offensive side to score 37 points and take the lead, 84-77, heading into the fourth quarter. The Heat destroyed the Celtics, 106-101, to take a 2-0 lead.
The Celtics are one loss away from the dreaded 3-0 despite G Kemba Walker (9-19FG 4-11 3PT 1-2FT 23PTS 7REB 3AST 2STL 1BLK 5TO 34MIN) finding his shooting form again. Walker was the third option they had looked for the last three games to compliment F Jayston Tatum (21PTS 5REB 4AST 1STL 1BLK) and F Jaylen Brown (21PTS 6REB 2AST). The big three were on Thursday night, but the team had no ball control. The Celtics had 20 turnovers, and the Heat feed off of turnovers.
The Heat are the comeback kids of the NBA. They came back to take down the Celtics for the second time in a row. C Bam Adebayo (10-16FG 1-2FT 21PTS 10REB 4AST 2STL 1BLK 2TO), who made his playoff name after the iconic block to end game one, followed it up with another dominant performance. The Celtics have not had an answer for Adebayo, but if they brought in the 7’ 5” C Tacko Fall, Adebayo could be matched by his size and reach. G Goran Dragic (25PTS 3REB 5AST ) and G Duncan Robinson (18PTS 6 3PT 4AST) beat the Celtics backcourt again to help the Heat make a comeback.
The Celtics have to be prepared to play the whole game against the Heat. The Eastern Conference finals had the look of a long series, but the Heat are burning right through the Celtics.