Take a deep breath, calm down and, most importantly, settle in. The real Celtics showed up in Miami last night and made something indisputably clear.
They’re fully armed and now ready to go.
Buoyed by the return of both Al Horford and Marcus Smart – not necessarily in that order – the restored Celtics blistered the Miami Heat by a 127-102 score to even the Eastern Conference finals at a game apiece. Boston led by as many as 34 points and outscored Miami 111-67 during a span of roughly 38 minutes in the middle of the game, never allowing Miami to get closer than 17 in the second half.
“When you have Smart and Al back, we’re just that much more bigger and better defensively,” said Celtics forward Jayson Tatum. “Obviously we miss those guys when they’re not playing, but it was great to have them back.”
Said head coach Ime Udoka: “Wasn’t surprising to see how well we guarded with our guys back.”
The answer, by the numbers:
Thirty-One (31)
MIAMI, FLORIDA – MAY 19: Marcus Smart #36 of the Boston Celtics reacts after a three point basket during the fourth quarter against the Miami Heat in Game Two of the 2022 NBA Playoffs Eastern Conference Finals at FTX Arena on May 19, 2022 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Plus-minus for Celtics point guard Marcus Smart, who played a team-high 40 minutes in the absence of Derek White (birth of his child) and finished a plus-31, best among all Boston starters. Smart nearly finished with a triple-double, amassing 24 points, 12 assists, nine rebounds, three steals and a block – all against one turnover. Said Udoka: “As always, he sets the tone.”
Eleven (11)
May 19, 2022; Miami, Florida, USA; Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) drives to the basket between Miami Heat guard Gabe Vincent (2) and guard Max Strus (31) during the first half of game two of the 2022 eastern conference finals at FTX Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-USA TODAY Sports
First-quarter points from Jaylen Brown, who spearheaded the Celtics offense with 11 points in the first quarter, which the Celtics closed with a 27-6 run. With Jayson Tatum missing half the quarter after drawing a second foul, Brown went 4-of-5 overall and a perfect 3-of-3 from distance while collecting four rebounds and two assists. He did not have a turnover.
Zero (0)
May 19, 2022; Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) drives to the basket between Boston Celtics center Al Horford (42) and forward Grant Williams (12) during the first half of game two of the 2022 eastern conference finals at FTX Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-USA TODAY Sports
Shots missed in the game by Horford, who missed Game 1 after being placed in the Covid protocol. Though he took only four shots, Horford made them all and was his usual, steady self. Two of his four field goals were from behind the 3-point line, where the Celtics shot a sizzling 50 percent (20-of-40) for the game. Said Horford: “We understood it was an important game tonight. They obviously beat us that Game 1, and for us it was just important to come out and get this win at all costs.
Seventeen (17)
May 17, 2022; Miami, Florida, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) reacts after a three point shot against the Miami Heat during the first half of game one of the 2022 eastern conference finals at FTX Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Second-quarter points by Jayson Tatum, who played the entire 12 minutes after being pulled with his second foul. Tatum returned with a vengeance, shooting 6-for-9, including 3-of-3 from distance. By the time the quarter ended, the Celtics had opened up a whipping 70-45 lead and were never truly threatened again.
Three (3)
May 19, 2022; Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) drives to the basket against Boston Celtics center Robert Williams III (44) during the second half of game two of the 2022 eastern conference finals at FTX Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-USA TODAY Sports
Blocks by Robert Williams, who played most of his 19:52 in the first half and was a factor at the rim at both ends. Two of Williams’ three blocks came in the first half and he helped neutralize the Celtics reclaim at least part of the paint, an area they lost badly in the second half of Game 1. Williams’ final line may not look like much, but he helped neutralize Bam Adebayo, whom dominated the Celtics two years ago but has been a relative non-factor in this series.
