The Celtics come out of nowhere against the Heat

It’s going to take hard work, and that’s an understatement, so yeah Celtics won the fifth consecutive victory, the third of the season against Heat. Especially since they had to erase a -22 deficit, which was certainly caused by their clumsiness on the 3-point range (1-of-20 before the break), but eventually made up for it thanks to… their 3-point prowess (9-of-16 after the break).

The shift therefore occurred in the third quarter, which Boston won 36-15, with a strong shot Payton Pritchard from the bench. With help Derrick White and a newcomer Nikola VucevicThe C’s streak started a 25-5 run with its offensive success and completely stunned Miami five minutes apart.

Before that, the Heat got off to a great start at TD Garden, relying on the contribution Norman Powell, Andrew Wiggins or Bam Adebayoagainst the Celtics who failed to score. In addition to being punished by the rushing game of this Florida offense that likes to run and make plays when the defense isn’t in place.

Because of this, uncertainty was necessary in the fourth quarter, the two teams constantly answering each other in turns, with rarely more than one possession. Then we had to wait for Derrick White’s 3-point + counter sequence for a last-minute decision.

Davion Mitchell then had the match point, but his attempt ended in failure and his teammates Jailen Brown they could rejoice, after getting out of a very nasty trap.

WHAT TO REMEMBER

Boston returns to #2. For the first time since 2021, the Celtics won by at least 20 points (!) at halftime and this success, combined with the loss to the Knicks, puts them back in 2nd place in the East. This “comeback”, the biggest of their season, was made possible by a big third quarter, which made us forget – or almost – the first period that Joe Mazzula’s men missed. Weaned from three-pointers, delayed defensive transitions and dominated in offensive rebounds, they corrected everything in one trip to the locker room and their face no longer had anything to do with the one from the first 24 minutes.

Prime Minister of Nikola Vucevic. Ready to come off the bench at this stage of his career, Nikola Vucevic was rightly used as a replacement for Joe Mazzula. Paired with Peyton Pritchard, the reigning Sixth Man of the Year who has found form since leaving the five three games ago, “Vooch” recorded his first double-double and highlighted his passing, rebounding and screen-setting qualities, as well as his good hands. His double with Neemias Cueto is complementary and, clearly, his presence risks changing a lot of things in the C’s game. In the good sense of the word, of course.

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How to read statistics? Min = Minute; Shots = Shots Successful / Shots Attempted; 3 points = 3 points / attempt 3 points; 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; +/- = point difference when the player is on the court; Points = Points; Rating: player rating calculated based on positive actions – negative actions.