NBA Playoffs: Miami Heat erase 17 point deficit, to go up 2-0 against the Boston Celtics
The Miami Heat one of the best teams in my opinion in the NBA right now, continues to defy expectations. Finishing as the 5th seed in the East, no one expected them to be this good, and deep in the playoffs right now. After sweeping the 4th seeded Indiana Pacers in the first round, and eliminating the top seeded Milwaukee Bucks in the second round, they continue to blaze through the competition.
Yesterday was Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals between the Heat and the Celtics. At the start of the game the Celtics were out for revenge, after that game 1 loss, and were firing across all cylinders. The Celtics mounted a huge run in the second quarter and scored a total of 60 points in the first half, and held the Heat to just 19 points in the third quarter. The score was 60-47 at the end of the first half.
At the start of the second half, the Heat quickly erased the deficit in the third quarter after a barrage of 3 point shots from Duncan Robinson, Goran Dragic, and Jae Crowder. They continued to feed Bam Adebayo the ball inside, easily scoring inside the paint.
In my opinion Bam Adebayo will be the X Factor for the series, currently the Celtics doesn't have any answer to him inside. If the Celtics don't find a way to contain him, they will have no chance on winning this series.
The Heat scored a total of 37 points in the 3rd quarter and limiting the Celtics to 17 points with great defense all around. The third quarter ended 84-77 now in favor of the Heat. After the third quarter I said the Heat once again got all the momentum going for them and looks like they will be winning again. I was wrong Boston somehow recovered after missing a ton of three pointers, regained the lead with 4 minutes left in the game 94-89.
Down by 5, Jimmy Butler once again to the rescue for the Heat, making big hustle and defensive plays down the stretch. Butler and Dragic both hit some clutch shots in the final minutes to put the Heat up by 6 with 58 seconds left. As expected the Celtics were not going away so easily Jaylen Brown hit 2 threes to keep the Celtics close and within range to tie the game. With the Heat up by 3, the Celtics were able to force a turnover, and got the possession back. Taytum shot a three pointer but it didn't go in, Adebayo getting the rebund, securing another Heat win.
After the final whistle, there were some reports of confrontations of Celtics players Marcus Smart and Jaylen Brown in the locker room. With the frustration of losing that big lead and now 2-0 down there were a lot of frustrated players. This could have a detrimental result for the team, as they need to stick together and not blame each other in this situation. It will be interesting to see what will happen in Game 3.
The Game ended with a score of 116-101 in favor of the Miami Heat. The Miami Heat once again winning as I have predicted in my previous post.
Stats Section
HEAT
Goran Dragic - 25 points, 5 assists
Bam Adebayo - 21 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists
Duncan Robinson - 18 points, 4 assists
Jimmy Butler - 14 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists
Jae Crowder - 12 points, 4 rebounds
CELTICS
Kemba Walker - 23 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists
Jayson Tatum - 21 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists
Jaylen Brown - 21 points, 6 rebounds
Marcus Smart - 14 points, 4 rebounds
Enes Kanter - 9 points, 6 rebounds
Final Thoughts and Predictions
2 more wins and the Heat are back to the finals, as I have said in my opinion Bam Adebayo is the X-Factor in the series. Currently the Celtics has no answer for him in the inside, if they can't contain him the Heat will continue to win. With this I will be predicting a Heat win in game 3, also that confrontation after game 2 of the Celtics might have some effects.
How about you who do you think will win Game 3? Let's discuss in the comment section below.