Behind a very good Derrick White, the Celtics are pushing the Heat

Despite the eventual success against the Nets, the Heat went to the Boston won just one of its last six games and couldn’t count on Tyler Hero (finger) or Andrew Wiggins (ankle). If Miami lacks skill early on, Erik Spoelstra’s men manage to get numerous second chances thanks to offensive rebounds, allowing them to keep up.

Jaime Jaquez Jr. hits from behind the arc in the last second of this first act, and the Heat trail by only one point after twelve minutes of play (30-29). From the beginning of the second quarter, Bam Adebayo (16 points, 10 rebounds) brought the advantage to the Floridians, but they were unable to increase the deficit, primarily because Derrick White (33 points on 9/14 from distance and 4 blocks), the author of 19 points with 5/9 on 3-pointers, but also four blocks in the first half.

Fatal heatstroke for the Heat

So, with the result of parity, the two teams return to the locker room (58-58). Peyton Pritchard opened the second period with a long shot, but Miami dominated for much of the third quarter and managed to take a seven-point lead. Boston responded with an 8-0 run from Anfernee Simmons’ long-range shot to regain the lead (81-80). Since then, the two teams traded shots and Boston led before the beginning of the last act (92-89).

The Celtics start this fourth quarter with a perfect 6/6 from distance, with the still unsustainable Derrick White scoring two goals and allowing Boston to take a 14-point lead, the biggest deficit of the match (110-96). This heat stroke completely stunned the Heat, who could not get back to scoring.

Miami ended up losing 129-116 for its fifth loss in six games before a complicated trip to New York this week.

WHAT TO REMEMBER

Surgical Celtics. If the Heat won the offensive rebounding battle with 17 shots to just 6 for Boston, Bam Adebayo’s teammates didn’t quite capitalize on those numerous second chances. In contrast, the Celtics were skilled and shot 53% all night. Proof of this skill is the Heat at the beginning of the fourth quarter with this sequence of six 3-point shots that completely sunk the Heat.

Derrick White had the hot hand. This victory for Boston was largely due to Derrick White, who was hot from the first minute to the last. In the first half, he scored 21 points on 5/9 from distance, and if he was more discreet in the third act, it showed from the start of the fourth quarter. He made two of Boston’s six straight 3-pointers, including the last one with a board. Derrick White finishes the night 9/14 from distance, tying his career high.

Complicated evening for Miami exteriors. Unlike Derrick White, the Heat’s backcourt didn’t shine, starting with Norman Powell. The former Clippers player certainly scored 18 points, but finished on 7/21 shooting. The same awkwardness for Kasparas Yakutsionis who signs his career high with 17 units, but on 5/13 shooting.

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How to read statistics? Min = Minute; Shots = Shots Successful / Shots Attempted; 3 points = 3 points / 3 points in an attempt; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive jump; T = Total number of jumps; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal mistakes; Int = intercepts; Bp = lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Difference of points when the player is on the field; Points = Points; Rating: player rating calculated based on positive actions – negative actions.