The Boston Celtics and the Miami Heat played in the Eastern Conference Finals of last season's Playoffs. At the time, the Celtics were the victors. This year, both franchises met again in the penultimate playoffs of the campaign and everything points to the Floridians being the ones to reach the NBA Finals 2023.
The Miami Heat wanted revenge and seemed to have executed it. They defeated the Boston Celtics (128-102) in the third game of the series, played this time at the Kaseya Center, which leaves the team led by Erik Spoelstra just one win away from reaching the NBA Finals (3-0 in the series). The game was all about the Heat, who never allowed their rivals to get ahead on the scoreboard. Miami was so effective that they scored more than 30 points each quarter.
3-0 pic.twitter.com/MDq2QLAR2C
— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) May 22, 2023
Spoelstra knows how to get the best out of each of his players. So much so that, even in games where Jimmy Butler or Bam Adebayo don't shine, he always finds the perfect formula for other players to bring out their best. This was the case last night when Gabe Vincent took the reins of the Heat and led them to victory. The point guard scored spectacularly, shooting 11-14 from the field and 6-9 in three-pointers. He finished the game with 29 points (a career-high), 2 rebounds and 3 assists.
Vincent's efficiency was not the only one shining in the match. He was joined by Caleb Martin and Duncan Robinson, who didn't start in the starting five, yet scored 18 and 22 points, respectively. The Miami Heat's best player during the Playoffs, Jimmy Butler, did not shine as much as in previous games, yet he still scored 16 points, grabbed 8 rebounds and dished out 6 assists. Bam Adebayo also had a quiet game, registering 13 points, 3 rebounds and 2 assists. Max Strus finished with 10 points.
NNAMDI FEELIN IT! New career high with 29 points! pic.twitter.com/LctuPGHnOz
— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) May 22, 2023
Zero. That's the score that could be assigned to Boston Celtics in this last game. The NBA's most decorated franchise - tied with the Los Angeles Lakers - offered virtually no resistance. No Jayson Tatum, no Jaylen Brown, no Marcus Smart. No one. It will be very difficult for Boston to turn the tie around and reach the NBA Finals.
Within the disastrous game for Boston, Jayson Tatum stood out as the strongest on the team. The forward recorded a double-double (14 points and 10 rebounds plus 2 assists); however, he did not contribute defensively. The other Jay, Jaylen Brown, scored 12 points and missed all 7 three-pointers he attempted. Marcus Smart only tallied 8 points. The next game will be played again at the Kaseya Center in Miami this Tuesday, where the Heat could clinch their berth in the Eastern Conference Finals, or the Celtics could give themselves one more chance to fulfill their NBA Finals aspirations.
The Heat and Nuggets are each 1 win from the Finals!
Visit the Playoff Hub for more ⤵ https://t.co/MndHjxD29g pic.twitter.com/kqFYcQHnMt
— NBA (@NBA) May 22, 2023
