Celtics’ Second-Half Surge Overwhelms Shorthanded Heat in TD Garden Battle
Boston, MA - When the Miami Heat and Boston Celtics share the floor, history tends to show up with them. But this latest chapter in their storied rivalry had a different tone-fewer stars, more questions, and a pair of teams navigating through roster reshuffles and injury setbacks.
Still, what didn’t change was the intensity. And in the end, it was Boston’s second-half firepower that proved too much for a depleted Miami squad.
Let’s set the scene: Boston came into the night looking to bounce back from consecutive losses to Milwaukee and Detroit. Miami, on the other hand, had just snapped a five-game skid with a win over Brooklyn the night before. Both teams were hungry, both teams were banged up, and both were looking to reassert some rhythm as the season grinds toward the midway point.
Injuries Take Center Stage Before Tipoff
Miami was without several key pieces. Tyler Herro remained sidelined with a nagging toe injury, while Nikola Jovic and Pelle Larsson were also unavailable. Add Andrew Wiggins and Davion Mitchell to the list, both out on the second night of a back-to-back, and you’ve got a Heat team running with a short bench.
Boston wasn’t at full strength either, missing Jayson Tatum due to a right Achilles issue. But even without their superstar, the Celtics had enough firepower to put on a show.
Starting Lineups:
- Heat: Kasparas Jakucionis, Norman Powell, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Bam Adebayo, Kel’el Ware
- Celtics: Payton Pritchard, Derrick White, Jaylen Brown, Jordan Walsh, Neemias Queta
It was a big night for rookies. For Boston, Jordan Walsh earned his first-ever NBA start just a day after scoring his first career points. On the other side, Miami stuck with the double-big lineup that had worked well against Brooklyn, hoping lightning would strike twice.
First Half: Trading Blows, Staying Close
The game opened with Jordan Walsh getting to the line, and Kel’el Ware knocking down a wing three to get the Heat rolling. Ware came out aggressive, showing off his range and presence on the glass, while Derrick White started heating up from deep. The two-time All-Defensive guard has made a habit of torching Miami, and this night was no exception.
Despite some early foul trouble for Norman Powell, the Heat kept pace. Ware’s energy and White’s shot-making were early themes, and the first quarter ended with Boston holding a slim 30-29 lead. All things considered, it was a solid start for Miami, especially given their shooting struggles.
The second quarter stayed tight. White continued his hot streak, burying three of his five three-point attempts in just seven minutes of second-quarter action.
But it wasn’t just Boston’s stars making noise-Miami’s Myron Gardener, a two-way player, gave the Heat a jolt of defensive grit. He got tangled up with Queta in a physical exchange that led to a jump ball, the kind of hustle play that doesn’t show up in the box score but matters when you’re down bodies.
At halftime, the score was knotted at 58. Neither team had seized control, and it felt like one of those games that would come down to who blinked first.
Jaylen Brown Takes Over, Celtics Pull Away
That blink came in the third, and Jaylen Brown was the one who made Miami pay. The former Finals MVP dropped 15 points in the quarter, attacking the rim with purpose and getting to the line. But even with Brown’s burst, the Heat stayed within striking distance, trailing just 92-89 heading into the fourth.
Then came the knockout punch.
Boston opened the final frame with a 20-7 run, fueled by more three-point shooting-this time from White and Sam Hauser. The Celtics caught fire, and Miami simply didn’t have the legs or depth to respond. The final score: 129-116, Celtics.
Boston’s Backcourt Duo Delivers
Jaylen Brown and Derrick White were the engines. Together, they combined for 63 points and 11 made threes. When the Celtics needed a lift, they delivered-especially in the second half, where their rhythm and shot-making broke the game open.
Kel’el Ware Shines in Losing Effort
For Miami, Kel’el Ware was a bright spot. The second-year center put up 24 points, including six threes, and added 14 rebounds, two assists, and a block in 28 minutes. That’s his 11th double-double of the season, and he continues to show growth on both ends of the floor.
Rookie guard Kasparas Jakucionis also made the most of his expanded opportunity. In 36 minutes, the 19-year-old tallied 17 points, five threes, six boards, and four assists.
After the game, he kept things simple: “You never know when these chances are coming. I just had to be ready every time they need me.”
Spoelstra Points to Missed Opportunity
Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra pointed to a late third-quarter stretch as the game’s turning point. “We had three turnovers; it got away from what was being successful for us,” he said.
“Then they came down and hit four threes. For the most part, I thought we were holding the fort, even as Jaylen Brown was starting to get to his spots… Once they hit those four threes and we had the three turnovers, it was almost as if our minds went.”
Looking Ahead
The Heat now get a day off before facing the New York Knicks on Sunday, their final matchup of the season. With injuries piling up and the schedule offering little relief, it’s a pivotal moment for Miami. Every team hits adversity during an 82-game grind-it’s how they respond that defines their season.
For Boston, this was the kind of win that can steady the ship. Even without Tatum, they found their groove behind Brown and White, and reminded the rest of the East that they’re still a force to be reckoned with.