East final keeps getting stranger

BOSTON – The bizarre nature of the Eastern Conference finals between Miami and Boston ventured into even stranger territory in Game 4.

The Heat missed their first 14 shots, didn’t make their first field goal until 3:21 remained in the first quarter and trailed by at least 25 points in the first half for the second time in this series.

It barely got better for the Heat as the Celtics rolled to a 102-82 victory in Game 4 on Monday, tying the series at 2-2. Game 5 is Wednesday in Miami (8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN).

The back-and-forth, not-alwayscompetitive pattern continued: Miami wins, Boston wins, Miami wins, Boston wins.

All four games have had at least 20point leads, and the Celtics opened a 26-4 lead in the first quarter and 55-28 lead in the second quarter. Shortly after starting, this contest was – for all practical purposes – over.

Jayson Tatum atones for Game 3

Celtics All-star Jayson Tatum admitted he needed to be better in Game 4 after his 3-for-14, 10-point, six-turnover performance in Game 3.

Tatum delivered.

He scored 24 of his game-high 31 points and made 6-for-11 from the field in the first half. His aggressive attack drew fouls, and he went 12-for-14 in the first two quarters.

Box score oddities

Boston was 16-for-43 (37.2%), including 2-for-11 for Jaylen Brown, and 4for-17 (23.5%) on 3s (Derrick White and Tatum a combined 1-for-9) in the first half and yet the Celtics were up 57-33 at halftime.

It indicated just how poorly the Heat played.

The Heat were 4-for-20 on shots in the paint in the opening half.

The Celtics won Game 4 shooting less than 40% from the field and less than 25% on 3s – that’s not going to happen often in a playoff game.

Miami was putrid with its 29.6% shooting inside the 3-point line. Victor Oladipo led the Heat with 23 points off the bench.

Robert Williams makes a difference

Boston center Robert Williams did not play in Game 3 because of left knee soreness, and Adebayo took advantage with his best, most impactful game of the series.

Williams returned for Game 4 and locked up Adebayo, who had just nine points and six rebounds but took just five shots in a passive performance.

Williams has the defensive versatility – the ability to protect the rim and defend away from the basket – to limit what Adebayo does.

Williams had 12 points, nine rebounds, including five offensive boards, and two blocks.

Free-throw discrepancy

In the past two games, the Celtics have outshot the Heat from the foul line 66-28, including 36-14 in Game 4.

That is not a commentary on the officiating.

The more aggressive team gets calls and free throw attempts. Miami needs to attack and draw fouls.

Celtics limit turnovers

Boston coach Ime Udoka bemoaned his team’s 24 turnovers that led to 33 Heat points in Game 4.

“As you saw in the Milwaukee series, we really pointed out driving, closeouts, making the extra pass and trying to get wide-open shots instead of semi-contested ones.