By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Jayson Tatum scored 31 points and Boston after an early 26-4 lead, cruised to a 102-82 victory over the Heat as the two teams are now tied at 2-2 in the Eastern Conference finals.
“Obviously, we knew how important this game was,” Tatum said. “Everybody just had to come up with a different sense of urgency.”
Miami missed 15 of its first 16 shots and the game was practically over after 12 minutes. The Heat led 39-18 after the first quarter of Game 3.
“Just got to muster that same energy when we came off a win as well as a loss,” coach Ime Udoka said. “This is a three-game series now. Can’t always just flip the mindset when we come off a loss and get a little desperate.”
Payton Pritchard had 14 points for the Celtics. Derrick White added 13 points, eight rebounds and six assists, and Robert Williams finished with 12 points and nine rebounds. German big man Daniel Theis added three points and four rebounds.
Victor Oladipo led the Heat with 23 points. Miami’s starting five of All-Star Jimmy Butler (six points), Kyle Lowry (three points), P.J. Tucker (no points), Max Strus (no points) and Bam Adebayo (nine points) were a combined 7 of 36 shooting. They all sat out the fourth quarter. Turk center Omer Yurtseven had two points.
The Heat were without Tyler Herro, who suffered a groin injury late in Game 3.