Jayson Tatum, Celtics stifle Heat, take back home-court edge

Field Level Media|published: Sat 27th April, 20:35 2024

Apr 27, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) takes a shot against the Miami Heat in the first half during game three of the first round for the 2024 NBA playoffs at Kaseya Center. credits: Jim Rassol-USA TODAY Sports

Jayson Tatum posted 22 points, 11 rebounds and six assists as the visiting Boston Celtics regained home-court advantage in this first-round playoff series, routing the Miami Heat 104-84 Saturday night.

Boston, the NBA's top seed, leads the best-of-seven series 2-1 with Game 4 set for Monday in Miami.

After losing Game 2 in Boston, the Celtics never trailed in this battle against the eighth-seeded Heat.

Aside from Tatum, the Celtics got 22 points and eight rebounds from Jaylen Brown.

Kristaps Porzingis added 18 points, five rebounds and two blocks for the Celtics while Derrick White added 16 points.

Jrue Holiday - Boston's fifth starter — was a game-high plus-23 despite scoring just three points. He did have six assists.

The Heat again played without injured standouts Jimmy Butler (knee) and Terry Rozier (neck). Those two have combined to average 40.6 points per game this season.

Without them, Miami struggled to score, although Bam Adebayo led the Heat with 20 points and nine rebounds. Nikola Jovic and Tyler Herro added 15 points each.

Boston, backed by its tenacious defense, led Miami 21-12 after one quarter. The Celtics held the Heat to 23.8-percent shooting, including 1-of-9 on 3-pointers.

The Celtics put the game away with a sizzling second quarter, shooting 65.2 percent from the floor, including 5-of-11 from deep, and holding an 18-6 advantage on points in the paint.

For the first half, Tatum had 15 points, including 13 in the second quarter. White had all 12 of his points in the second quarter and Porzingis also had 12 first-half points.

Herro led Miami with 10 first-half points, but he shot just 3-of-11.

Boston extended its lead to 87-61 after three quarters. Brown had eight points to lead all third-quarter scorers.

The Celtics cruised in the fourth quarter, and they finished the game shooting 47.6 percent from the floor, including 11-of-37 from deep (29.7 percent).

Miami shot 41.6 percent, including 9-of-28 on 3-pointers (32.1 percent).

-Field Level Media