The Heat beat the Celtics 111-101 in Game 2 in Boston to tie the first-round playoff series at 1-1. This is a huge road win for Miami, who were without Jimmy Butler and Terry Rozier. Herro played quite possibly his best-ever game for the Heat thus far, with 24 points on efficient shooting in addition to 14 assists. This kind of performance shows why Herro is quite a popular Heat player, despite his critics.
Spoelstra is now 10-3 in Game 2s in a playoff series where the Heat lost Game 1. Additionally, the Heat made 23 three-pointers in this game and pulled away in the second half to secure the upset win. Without further ado, let’s dive deeper into this crucial victory.
Heat 2024 Season Part 42: The Heat Made A Franchise Playoff Record 23 Three-Pointers in Game 2
The Celtics’ three-point barrage is a major reason why they easily won Game 1. However, the Heat responded in Game 2 with 23 three-pointers and held the Celtics to 37.5% three-point shooting. Given the Celtics’ propensity to dare teams to shoot three-pointers, this three-point shooting from the Heat may be a bit more sustainable than one might think.
The Heat certainly have a number of good three-point shooters, including Herro, Robinson, Martin, and Rozier. Bam Adebayo even started to make some three-points in the latter half of the regular season, as well. It’s unlikely that the Heat will make 20+ three-pointers in every game for the rest of the series, but the Heat can and need to take advantage of what the Celtics’ defensive gives them.
Spoelstra, as usual, made great adjustments to ensure the Heat did just that in Game 2. Now, the onus is on the Celtics to do the same in Game 3. Additionally, Joe Mazzulla will have to prove he can compete with Spoelstra from a coaching perspective to help the Celtics win this series.
Tyler Herro Had Perhaps His Best-Ever Game with the Heat
Tyler Herro receives quite a bit of criticism from Heat fans, much of it justified. However, he was exceptional in the Heat’s Game 2 win in Boston. Herro had 24 points on 7-13 shooting in addition to a career-best 14 assists and five rebounds. Herro contributed to the Heat’s three-point barrage by going 6-11 from three-point range.
Herro’s 14 assists are the second-most assists by a Heat player in the Heat’s playoff history. Only Dwyane Wade had more assists in a Heat playoff game with 15 in a game against the Wizards in the 2005 NBA playoffs. That is elite company for Herro, whose playmaking was remarkable in Game 2.
This is the Herro that the Heat need to win this series. Let’s hope the Heat continue to see this version of Herro in their first-round series against the one-seed Boston Celtics.
The Heat Shut Down All of the Celtics Except Brown and Tatum
Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown combined to score 61 points in Game 2. However, no other Celtics player even scored in double figures. Despite enjoying solid regular seasons, Kristaps Porzingis struggled mightily with only six points on 1-9 shooting and Jrue Holiday scored a measly nine points on 4-12 shooting.
The Celtics will find it difficult to beat the Heat if Tatum and Brown are the only Celtics players scoring in double figures. Shutting down other players like Porzingis, Holiday, and Derrick White is key if the Heat are going to win this series. The Celtics will no doubt do their best to make adjustments to get their other players going offensively.
Still, Spoelstra now has a clear gameplan in mind to slow down the Celtics’ typically excellent offense.
Terry Rozier Is Likely to Return For Game 3
The Heat also got positive injury news regarding Terry Rozier. Rozier has been dealing with a neck injury for some time but it seems like he might be able to play in Game 3. This would be a major boost to the Heat’s chances of winning Game 3 and taking a 2-1 series lead. Hopefully, Rozier can return for Game 3 and play well to help the Heat beat his former team.
Heat 2024 Season Part 42: The Series Now Shifts to Miami for Games 3 and 4
The series now shifts to Miami for Games 3 and 4. The Heat can take a 3-1 series lead if they can protect home court. Hopefully, the Heat can do just that. Rozier’s return will definitely help with that.
Check back next week for more Miami Heat content.