Jayson Tatum poured in 31 points, grabbed 8 rebounds and handed out 5 assists in 33 minutes, fueling a strong team showing Monday. The Boston Celtics defeated the Miami Heat 102-82 at TD Garden, tying the Eastern Conference finals at 2-2. Tatum had surged with a 10-point burst just 48 hours earlier in a 127-102 setback against Miami, then lit up the Garden with dazzling plays while the Celtics controlled both ends of the court even after the loss. Marcus Smart carried an injury-riddled night, dealing with severe ankle pain as the game wore on. Ime Udoka’s squad leaned on Al Horford, who dominated the paint with 5 points, 13 rebounds and four clutch baskets to help blunt the Heat’s thrust. Five Celtics finished in double digits against a Miami squad missing Tyler Herro and managing the bumps and bruises to leaders like Jimmy Butler and Kyle Lowry. Butler tallied 6 points in 27 minutes, while Lowry contributed 3 points in 21 minutes. Victor Oladipo, steadily regaining form after a string of injuries, led Miami with 23 points, 4 rebounds and 6 assists. The Heat’s starting five — Butler, Lowry, Adebayo, Strus and Tucker — managed only 18 points combined. It marked a difficult chapter for the Heat, whose postseason run has faced scrutiny since the playoffs began.
Miami, 14 shots to 0 to start off the field
From the opening moments, Boston set the tone. Tatum led the charge, posting 12 points, 5 rebounds and 2 assists in the first period, while Miami needed 15 tries before they could notch their first field goal. Bam Adebayo finally delivered from the free-throw line, with Oladipo providing a spark off the bench as his first basket arrived nearly nine minutes into the game. The Celtics pressed relentlessly, dominating in rebounds and ball movement, and extended their early advantage even as Oladipo tried to keep Miami within reach by scoring in bursts.
Tatum, 24 points in the first half
The first half saw Boston piling up fouls and free throws, with 26 attempts from the stripe before the break. Tatum finished the half with 24 points and 8 rebounds, inching toward a near double-double as the Celtics maintained a strong edge. Udoka’s team posted 57 points by halftime, with Horford anchoring the paint. The Celtics continued to deliver in the third quarter, putting up 32 points, powered by a 7-point contribution from Tatum and additional interior domination from Horford—who worked the arc and the glass to keep the Heat on the ropes. Miami’s defense struggled to answer, as Boston extended its advantage to as much as 23 points.
Horford, fourth hat and cream
By the start of the final period, Payton Pritchard and Horford helped push the lead to a comfortable margin, dashing any hopes of a late Heat rally. Tucker and Butler appeared largely quiet on the night, especially as the Celtics maintained their edge. The late-game intensity culminated in a decisive stretch as Horford blocked a Gabe Vincent attempt while Pritchard kept Boston ahead by a wide margin, fueling a critical 88-57 advantage with time winding down. The Garden breathed easier as the clock ticked down and the Celtics closed in on a solid win.
“He’s an unbeatable leader”, Tatum said of Horford after the game, praising the veteran’s impact and leadership. Horford’s performance was a focal point in the win, and his steadiness offers a blueprint for the Celtics as they look ahead to Game Five to determine the series fate. The team’s depth and balance were on full display, with contributions spanning the lineup and a clear message that Boston is ready to contest every possession in this series.