Boston Celtics cool down Miami Heat to take 3-2 NBA series lead
BOSTON Celtics moved a step closer to the NBA Finals Wednesday after 25 points from Jaylen Brown scored and 22 from Jayson Tatum gave them a 93-80 victory over Miami Heat.
Tatum also contributed game-highs of 12 rebounds and nine assists as the visiting Celtics took a 3-2 edge in the best-of-seven Eastern Conference finals series, which continues in Boston today.
“We can’t think it’s over with,” Tatum said. “We have to go home like we’re down 3-2, with that sense of urgency. Not being satisfied. We’ve got things to clean up, we’ve got to be playing better. The job is not done yet.
“It’s far from over.”
The Celtics, who rallied from a 3-2 deficit to eliminate defending champion Milwaukee in the second round, are one victory from reaching the NBA Finals for the first time since 2010, when they lost to the Los Angeles Lakers.
They have not captured the NBA crown since 2008, when they beat the Lakers.
“This is a great opportunity,” Brown said. “We have an opportunity to do something special.” The Celtics improved to 6-2 on the road in this year’s playoffs.
A physical, defensive-minded contest was decided late in the third quarter and early in the fourth, when the Celtics went on a 24-2 run, Brown scoring 13 in the spurt and Tatum adding seven. The Celtics dominated the third quarter, outscoring Miami 32-16 and closing the period with a 10-0 run for the largest lead to that point at 69-58 entering the fourth quarter.
BRILLIANT BROWN
For the game, Brown hit 10-of-19 from the floor, five-of-nine from 3-point range.
Miami went 4-for-22 shooting from the floor in the third quarter.
Boston then opened the fourth quarter with a 14-2 run to seize command at 83-60 and the Celtics held off Miami from there, an emphatic slam dunk by Brown serving notice the visitors would not be letting the Heat make the game dramatic over the final minutes.
Bam Adebayo led Miami with 18 points and also added 10 rebounds. But the Heat shot only 30-of-94 from the floor and 7-of45 from 3-point range.
The Heat’s starting backcourt, Max Strus and Kyle Lowry, were a combined zero-of-15 from the floor, zero-for-12 from 3-point range.
“I’ve got to play better,” Lowry said. “Tonight I played terrible. When I get on the court I have to be better.”
Al Horford added 16 points, seven rebounds, five assists and two blocks for the Celtics. The 35-year-old Dominican center seeks his first NBA crown.
Boston’s Marcus Smart played despite a right ankle sprain and teammate Robert Williams was on the court despite a left knee injury. Smart had five points, five rebounds and four assists plus stalwart defensive moves while Williams contributed six points, 10 rebounds and three blocked shots.
“Rob is a very big part of what we do,” Horford said. “I’m impressed at his poise. He’s huge for us.”