Jimmy Butler led the Miami Heat to a Game 1 victory in the Eastern Conference Finals, but the Boston Celtics had an excellent response in Game 2.
The Celtics blew out the Heat 127-102 in Miami, in a game that felt over in the first half. Boston led 70-45 at halftime.
The Celtics' 25-point lead at the break is the largest halftime lead for the Celtics in a road playoff game in franchise history (excluding Bubble games).
This is the 17th time in Celtics postseason history they have scored 70 points in the first half. pic.twitter.com/vJ1IlLkLah
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) May 20, 2022
The return of Marcus Smart (mid-foot sprain) and Al Horford (COVID protocols) was huge for Boston on both ends of the floor.
Smart had 24 points, 12 assists, nine rebounds, and three steals, to go with a plus/minus of +31 in 40 minutes played.
"A little shake and bake" by Marcus Smart ☘️#NBAConferenceFinals presented by Google Pixel on ESPN pic.twitter.com/4K1FzKBBeQ
— NBA (@NBA) May 20, 2022
Horford didn’t light up the box score, but he still went 4-for-4 from the field (2-of-2 on threes) and chipped in 10 points, along with making an impact defensively.
Marcus Smart and Al Horford returned to the Celtics lineup and made big contributions.
Horford held the Heat to 2-9 FG and 4 TO as a primary defender.
Smart led the Celtics with 12 assists; Boston was 12-15 FG off his passes. He also held Miami to 3-11 FG as a primary defender. pic.twitter.com/LSgPLCj8AI
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) May 20, 2022
Jayson Tatum led the Celtics in scoring with 27 points (8-of-13 from the field), and Grant Williams was superb off the bench, scoring 19 points (5-of-7 from the field, 2-of-2 on threes, 7-of-8 from the line) and putting together a plus/minus of +37.
Boston was able to split the first two games on the road, and they showed how much better they are when Smart and Horford are a part of things. And now the Celtics have home-court advantage, with three of a potential five remaining games in Boston (if the series were to go seven games).
Additionally, Heat starting forward P.J. Tucker suffered a knee injury that has his status in question.
Sources: P.J. Tucker sustained the injury early in the first quarter and attempted to play through it. With a short turnaround in this series and the matchup problems Boston presents, an absent Tucker would be devastating for Miami.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) May 20, 2022
The Celtics open as 6.5-point favorites in Game 3, and they’re now clear favorites to win the series.
Game 3 opening lines in Boston:
Celtics -6.5
Heat +200 ML (Celtics -250 ML)
O/U 208.5
— BetMGM 🦁 (@BetMGM) May 20, 2022
Heat-Celtics series odds:
Opened:
– Celtics -165
– Heat +135Before Game 1:
– Celtics -150
– Heat +125Before Game 2:
– Celtics +125
– Heat -150AFTER Game 2:
– Celtics -250
– Heat +200— BetMGM 🦁 (@BetMGM) May 20, 2022
Here’s a look at how the basketball world is reacting to Boston’s Game 3 win:
Marcus Smart makes a huge difference for them ! He Hoopin🔥
— Trae Young (@TheTraeYoung) May 20, 2022
Miami Heat Celtics starting 5
in Game 2: in Game 2:102 points 90 points
44% FG 53% FG pic.twitter.com/J2Q79DyD1f— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) May 20, 2022
The Celtics have only lost 2 straight games once since January.
They rested 4 starters in that loss. pic.twitter.com/aQ61BefPcx
— StatMuse (@statmuse) May 20, 2022
Highest playoff +/- off the bench in the play-by-play era:
+42 — Shane Battier in 2013
+41 — Payton Pritchard tonight pic.twitter.com/UoVasJAb1K— StatMuse (@statmuse) May 20, 2022
MAHHHHCUSSS SMAAAHHHHTTTT pic.twitter.com/Li5GTAEUKf
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 20, 2022
The return of Marcus Smart led the Celtics to a blowout victory over the Heat! Smart was the key difference-maker – he had 24 points and was a great facilitator tonight, adding 12 assists and 9 rebounds. His defense on Jimmy Butler was also outstanding.
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) May 20, 2022
This game is … OVER. If the Celtics keep shooting like this, they will win the NBA championship.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) May 20, 2022
