MIAMI (AP) — Jayson Tatum scored 28 points, while Jrue Holiday contributed 25 as the Boston Celtics pulled away in the fourth quarter to secure a 103-91 victory over the struggling Miami Heat on Friday night.
Derrick White added 18 points for Boston, which sank 19 three-pointers in the game. The Celtics dominated the fourth quarter, outscoring Miami 25-14.
The Heat, who have now lost six consecutive games and dropped to a season-worst eight games below .500, were led by Andrew Wiggins with 23 points. Tyler Herro added 19, and Jaime Jaquez Jr. finished with 13.
Miami has struggled offensively against Boston all season, scoring just 89, 85, and now 91 points in their three matchups—each resulting in double-digit losses. Additionally, the Heat completed a five-game homestand without a win for the first time in franchise history.
It marked the fourth time this season that Miami managed 14 or fewer points in the fourth quarter. They are 0-4 in those games.
Takeaways
Celtics: Jaylen Brown (right knee) and Kristaps Porzingis (viral illness) were unavailable for Boston. Brown has maintained a pattern since the All-Star break, playing three games before sitting out one. He has now done so three times since February 20.
Heat: Miami adjusted its starting lineup, inserting Duncan Robinson in place of Davion Mitchell and Jaquez in for Kel’el Ware. The new unit, which included Wiggins, Herro, and Bam Adebayo, had not played together at all this season before Friday’s game.
Key Moments
Boston went on a crucial 10-0 run early in the fourth quarter, flipping a one-point deficit into a nine-point lead with 9:19 remaining.
Key Stat
The Celtics hit four three-pointers in the first 2:27 of the game. The last time Boston reached that mark faster was during a playoff matchup against Philadelphia on May 5, 2023, when they hit four threes in just 2:25.
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