Celtics Topple Heat, 117-106, in Game 3
The Boston Celtics defeated the Miami Heat, 117-106, in Game 3 of their Eastern Conference finals series. The Heat leads the series, 2-1.
The Celtics (1-2) came into the contest looking to put the nightmare of two consecutive blown second-half leads behind them, and knowing they'd have Gordon Hayward back from his ankle injury to hopefully offer strong play on both ends of the floor. As has been the norm, Boston got off to a strong start and was able to stretch a nine-point first-quarter lead into a 13-point halftime advantage. Unlike past stumbles, coach Brad Stevens' squad didn't unravel in the third quarter against the Heat (2-1), enabling them to add another two points to their edge going into the final period. Miami ultimately put forth one of its trademark comebacks late and cut their deficit to five points with 55.9 seconds remaining before Marcus Smart ensured the win with six clutch free throws down the stretch.
Jaylen Brown led the Celtics with 26 points, complementing them with seven rebounds, five assists, three steals and one block. Jayson Tatum followed with a 25-point, 14-rebound double-double that also included eight assists. Kemba Walker contributed 21 points, six boards and two assists. Smart pitched in 20 points, six assists and four boards. Hayward supplied six points, five rebounds, four assists, three steals and one block over 31 minutes off the bench.
Bam Adebayo paced the Heat with a 27-point, 16-rebound double-double that also included one assist, three steals and two blocks. Tyler Herro registered 22 points, four assists, three rebounds and one steal. Jimmy Butler managed 17 points, eight boards, three assists and two blocks. Duncan Robinson poured in 13 points, while Goran Dragic contributed 11 points, five assists and one rebound. Jae Crowder delivered 10 points, six rebounds, five assists, one steal and one block.
The two teams reconvene for a critical Game 4 in Orlando on Wednesday night.
The Celtics (1-2) came into the contest looking to put the nightmare of two consecutive blown second-half leads behind them, and knowing they'd have Gordon Hayward back from his ankle injury to hopefully offer strong play on both ends of the floor. As has been the norm, Boston got off to a strong start and was able to stretch a nine-point first-quarter lead into a 13-point halftime advantage. Unlike past stumbles, coach Brad Stevens' squad didn't unravel in the third quarter against the Heat (2-1), enabling them to add another two points to their edge going into the final period. Miami ultimately put forth one of its trademark comebacks late and cut their deficit to five points with 55.9 seconds remaining before Marcus Smart ensured the win with six clutch free throws down the stretch.
Jaylen Brown led the Celtics with 26 points, complementing them with seven rebounds, five assists, three steals and one block. Jayson Tatum followed with a 25-point, 14-rebound double-double that also included eight assists. Kemba Walker contributed 21 points, six boards and two assists. Smart pitched in 20 points, six assists and four boards. Hayward supplied six points, five rebounds, four assists, three steals and one block over 31 minutes off the bench.
Bam Adebayo paced the Heat with a 27-point, 16-rebound double-double that also included one assist, three steals and two blocks. Tyler Herro registered 22 points, four assists, three rebounds and one steal. Jimmy Butler managed 17 points, eight boards, three assists and two blocks. Duncan Robinson poured in 13 points, while Goran Dragic contributed 11 points, five assists and one rebound. Jae Crowder delivered 10 points, six rebounds, five assists, one steal and one block.
The two teams reconvene for a critical Game 4 in Orlando on Wednesday night.