Powered by a franchise playoff record 23 three-pointers, the Miami Heat evened their first-round Easter Conference series with the Boston Celtics with a 111-101 victory on Wednesday night.
After a tight first half, the Heat used the third quarter, in which they outscored the Celtics 27-18, to regain the lead – a lead they would not relinquish to tie the series at 1-1.
Game 3 is Saturday night at 6 PM ET in Miami.
Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra said Wednesday that they would make a concerted effort to lower the Celtics’ three-point attempts and increase them for Game 2. The approach worked in Miami’s favor.
The Celtics used three-pointers to their advantage in Game 1, going 22-for-49 from distance. But Game 2 was a different story, as they went 12-for-32. Miami, meanwhile, fired away, going 23-for-43 from behind the three-point line.
Miami’s 23 three-pointers were two shy of the NBA playoff record and broke their previous franchise mark of 20, which was set during the 2021 playoffs against the Milwaukee Bucks.
Tyler Herro shot 6-of-11 from distance, while Caleb Martin made five 3-pointers in six attempts.
Herro, who was held to 11 points in 34 minutes on Sunday, found more success in Game 2 by dropping 24 points. He was supported by 21 points each from Martin and Bam Adebayo. Nikola Jovic was impressive on both ends of the court with 11 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists.
Herro also led all players with 14 assists on the night.
Jaylen Brown (33 points, 8 rebounds) and Jayson Tatum (28 points, 8 rebounds) did what they could, but Miami’s offense was much more balanced. The Celtics’ bench couldn’t impact the game enough as they were outscored 20-12 by the Heat’s subs.
Already without Jimmy Butler (MCL) and Terry Rozier (neck), the Heat went home with the series tied and coming off a game in which their shooting fortunes turned around.
