The Boston Celtics and Miami Heat kicked off the NBA’s first-ever rivalry week with a down-to-the-wire 98-95 Heat victory on TNT.
Bam Adebayo, Tyler Herro, and Haywood Highsmith led the way for Miami.
.@MiamiHEAT win a close one at home! 🔥
Adebayo: 30 PTS | 15 REB | 2 STL pic.twitter.com/q6Zr4nfhh5
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) January 25, 2023
The Heat came into the fourth and final quarter of this game trailing the Celtics 75-82; with that said, Miami was able to battle back thanks in large part to Erik Spoelstra’s decision to switch their defensive scheme from man-to-man to zone coverage. The Heat would end up coming out on top 98-95 with key last-minute plays by Adebayo, Herro, and Highsmith
To start with Highsmith, the second-year pro very much provided a spark for Miami, especially in the second half of the game, as he made many critical plays on the offensive end by going a perfect four for four from the three-point line as well as cutting and moving around making it easy for his teammates to find him.
This Bam dunk for the tie is the face of this game for good reason
But just watch Haywood Highsmith from start to finish
Jayson Tatum is walking down the floor, and he’s getting the crowd into it
Then continues to lock up Tatum with picture perfect principles pic.twitter.com/0LBpSear9c
— Brady Hawk (@BradyHawk305) January 25, 2023
With that said, Highsmith’s impact was also felt heavily on the defensive end for Miami as he was all over Celtics scorers, hustling for rebounds, trying to take the ball from guys, and even diving for loose balls. Highsmith finished the win with fifteen points, ten rebounds, one steal, and one assist.
As for Adebayo, the fifth-year superstar had a complete takeover in the second half for Miami as he finished the contest with thirty points, fifteen rebounds, two steals, one block, and one assist. To get away from the stats, the key in this big-time performance by Adebayo was his confidence, as he was extra aggressive and wildly fired up to bring his team back after trailing for the majority of the game.
Now to talk about Herro, the reigning Sixth Man of the Year struggled shooting-wise for Miami, but with that said, he was able to make his two most crucial shot attempts of the game late in the contest as he made a clutch three for Miami, followed by a nice floater. Herro also made a clutch steal at the end of the game to seal the deal for the Heat.
Something of note, Adebayo and Herro’s growth was surely felt in this one as Miami’s young stars were able to come through on a night when the Heat needed them more than ever since Jimmy Butler was unable to play due to lower back tightness in which he suffered warming up for the game.
As for the Celtics, they blew a big-time lead against a conference foe due mainly due to the Heat’s coaching staff being able to regroup in the fourth quarter and shut down Jayson Tatum, who had been performing exceptionally until that final period of the contest.
Tyler Herro picked off Jayson Tatum in the clutch 😮 pic.twitter.com/m5wEigpry1
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) January 25, 2023
The Celtics will look to bounce back tomorrow, January 26, in New York against the Knicks.
The Heat will look to build off of this comeback win on Friday, January 27, at home against their in-state rivals, the Orlando Magic.
Let us know what you think about the Heat defeating the Celtics by either leaving a reaction at the bottom of the post or by sending us a tweet at @celebsecrets.
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