The Celtics blew a double-digit lead in the second straight game against the Heat, enabling Miami to take a 2-0 series lead in the Eastern Conference Finals with a 106-101 win.
The Heat erased a 17-point deficit with a 37-17 third quarter and then managed to come back one more time against the Celtics in the fourth quarter with a 17-7 run to close the game and seal the win. Goran Dragic was sensational for the second straight game with team-high 25 points while Bam Adebayo added 21 points and 10 rebounds to lead Miami six different Heat players in double figures.
It was Miami’s zone defense that stifled the Celtics offense in the second half though, limiting them to 41 points while leading them into 20 turnovers on the night, many of them of the unforced variety. Kemba Walker had a team-high 23 points while Brown and Tatum added 21 a piece but it wasn’t enough for a Celtics team that melted down in the third quarter and again in crunch time.
The Celtics look to try to dig their way out of a 2-0 hole on Saturday night at 8:30 p.m. in Game 3.
TURNING POINT
The Celtics opened up the second quarter with a 19-6 run, largely fueled by the second unit lineup paired up with Jayson Tatum and Marcus Smart. The outburst broke open a two-point game and put the Celtics up by double digits for the remainder of the first half.
THREE UP
First quarter shooting: The Celtics came out of the gates red-hot in this matchup, knocking down 66 percent of their shots in the first quarter, including 4-of-7 from 3-point range with all five starters getting on the board. Boston managed 31 points but it could have been more if not for six turnovers.
Kemba Walker: The point guard snapped out of his shooting funk with a 14-point first half in just 14 minutes of action. He also made multiple 3-pointers for the first time since Game 3 against the Raptors, providing the scoring boost the C’s have been lacking at the point guard spot for the past few games.
Enes Kanter: After barely seeing the court over Boston’s last eight games, Kanter got the call over Rob Williams in Game 2 and delivered. He made all four of his shots in the first half and posted nine points and six rebounds in just 8 minutes, with the C’s going on a big run with him on the court.
TWO DOWN
Defending Duncan Robinson: The Heat sharpshooter got plenty of separation from Celtics defenders in the first quarter as he knocked down four of his first six attempts from 3-point range.
Turnovers: Six turnovers in the first quarter helped keep Miami in the game early despite a slow shooting start for them.
INJURY REPORT
Romeo Langford saw just one minute of action in the first quarter before suffering a right adductor strain while attempting to defend Jimmy Butler. He did not return to the game after being declared doubtful.
TOP PLAY
Kemba brings us back to the playground for this one ? pic.twitter.com/UsblQByHxI
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) September 18, 2020
PG: Kemba Walker
SG: Marcus Smart
SF: Jayson Tatum
PF: Jaylen Brown
C: Daniel Theis
G: Duncan Robinson
PF: Jae Crowder
C: Bam Adebayo
- Gordon Hayward and Javonte Green were downgraded to out this afternoon by the Celtics for Game 2 as Hayward's recovery from a Grade 3 ankle sprain.