Heat Collapse in Third Quarter as Vucevic Shines in Celtics Debut
For two quarters, the Miami Heat looked like the better team. They controlled the pace, dominated the paint, and built a 22-point lead that had the Celtics searching for answers. But then came the third quarter-and everything unraveled.
In a 98-96 loss to Boston, the Heat were undone by a brutal third-quarter collapse that’s become all too familiar this season. Even with a chance to steal the game at the buzzer, Davion Mitchell couldn’t connect on a wide-open corner three, and Miami was left to wonder how it all slipped away.
Let’s break down the five biggest takeaways from a game that started with promise and ended in frustration for the Heat.
1. First-Quarter Firestorm from the Heat
Miami came out swinging. They opened the game on a 22-6 run, overwhelming Boston with paint touches and defensive pressure.
The Celtics leaned heavily on the three-point shot early, but it wasn’t falling-just 1-of-10 from deep in the opening quarter. Meanwhile, the Heat pounded the paint for 12 early points and rode Bam Adebayo’s hot hand to a 29-15 lead after one.
Adebayo was everywhere, scoring 10 points in the first, including a pair of threes. His early aggression set the tone, and Miami looked like a team in control.
2. The Third Quarter Strikes Again
If there’s been a recurring theme for the Heat this season, it’s their struggles in the third quarter. That trend continued in a big way. With Norman Powell sidelined due to a hand injury, Miami lacked a key scoring option, and Boston took full advantage.
The Celtics flipped the game on its head, outscoring the Heat 36-15 in the third. After a cold start from deep, Boston caught fire-hitting 5-of-7 from three in the quarter, good for 71.4%. Derrick White, quiet in the first half with just four points, chipped in eight in the third, sparking the comeback.
Miami, on the other hand, couldn’t buy a bucket. They shot just 26.3% from the field in the third and went 2-of-12 from beyond the arc. It was a complete momentum shift-and one the Heat couldn’t fully recover from.
3. Vucevic Makes His Presence Felt in Celtics Debut
Boston’s newest addition, Nikola Vucevic, wasted no time making an impact. Acquired at the deadline in a deal that sent Anfernee Simons the other way, the two-time All-Star came off the bench and gave the Celtics exactly what they needed: size, skill, and savvy.
Vucevic finished with 11 points-eight of them in the third quarter-along with 12 rebounds, four assists, and two steals. He exploited Miami’s smaller lineup, particularly when matched up against 6’10” Nikola Jovic, and gave Boston a steady interior presence.
At 35 years old, Vucevic continues to be a double-double machine. This was his 579th career double-double-and his 30th against the Heat.
4. Second-Chance Points: The Hidden Difference
While Vucevic was anchoring the middle, Boston’s bigs were feasting on the glass. Vucevic and Neemias Queta combined for 23 rebounds, 10 of which came on the offensive end. That hustle translated into 20 second-chance points for the Celtics-12 of them in the second half.
Compare that to the Heat, who managed just three second-chance points after halftime. In a game decided by two points, those extra possessions made all the difference. It wasn’t just about star power or big scoring runs-it was the gritty, grind-it-out plays that tipped the scales.
5. Heat Bench Comes Up Empty
Depth has been an issue for Miami all season, and it showed again in this one. Still missing Tyler Herro, the Heat got very little from their second unit. The bench combined for just 17 points-11 of them from rookie Jaime Jaquez Jr.
On the other side, Boston’s reserves stepped up. Vucevic and Payton Pritchard combined for 35 points, outscoring Miami’s entire bench by themselves. The Heat also got no scoring from Jovic and Myron Gardner, while Simone Fontecchio, Kel’el Ware, and Dru Smit added just two points apiece.
In a tight game, that kind of production gap is hard to overcome.
What’s Next
The Heat now head to Washington to face the Wizards on Sunday. With All-Stars Trae Young and Anthony Davis expected to be sidelined for the rest of the season, Miami will look to bounce back against a retooling Washington squad.
But if they want to get back on track, it starts with fixing the third-quarter blues-and finding some help off the bench. Because as this loss showed, even a dominant start can’t save you if you can’t finish.