Boasting a franchise playoff record 23 three-pointers, the Miami Heat evened their Eastern Conference first-round series with the Boston Celtics with a 111-101 victory Wednesday night.
After a close first half, the Heat outscored the Celtics 27-18 in the third quarter to regain the lead. It was an advantage they wouldn’t even relinquish in the series at 1-1.
The New Orleans Pelicans were not so lucky. After barely losing in a Game 1 thriller, they were crushed by the Oklahoma City Thunder in a 124-92 loss to fall behind 2-0. The Thunder were up double digits at the end of the first quarter and never wavered.
Both series will see Game 3 on Saturday night, with the Thunder looking to take an even bigger advantage at 3:30 p.m. ET in New Orleans and the Celtics looking to regain control at 6 p.m. ET in Miami.
The Heat bet big on the 3 points. It paid off against the Celtics
Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra said earlier Wednesday that they would make a concerted effort to reduce the Celtics’ 3-point attempts and increase their own for Game 2. That approach worked in Miami’s favor.
The Celtics used 3-point shooting to their advantage in Game 1, going 22 of 49 from distance. Game 2 was a different story as they went 12 for 32. Miami, meanwhile, shot, 23 of 43 from behind the 3-point line.
Miami’s 23 3-pointers were just shy of the NBA playoff record and broke its previous franchise mark of 20, set in the 2021 playoffs against the Milwaukee Bucks.
Tyler Herro shot 6 of 11 from distance, while Caleb Martin made five 3-pointers in six attempts.
Herro, who was held to 11 points in 34 minutes on Sunday, had better success in Game 2 dropping 24 points. He was supported by 21 points each from Martin and Bam Adebayo. Nikola Jovic was impactful on both ends of the court with 11 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists.
Herro also led all players with 14 assists on the night.
Jaylen Brown (33 points, 8 rebounds) and Jayson Tatum (28 points, 8 rebounds) did what they could, but Miami’s offense was much more balanced. The Celtics bench couldn’t impact the game enough as they were dominated by the Heat’s subs 20-12.
Already without Jimmy Butler (MCL) and Terry Rozier (neck), the Heat return home with the series knotted at one and coming off a game where their shooting fortunes reversed.
Thunder looks like No. 1 seed in Pelicans blowout
Things got too close for the Thunder’s comfort in their 94-92 Game 1 win. They avoided a repeat and then some in Game 2.
All five OKC starters scored in double figures, led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander with 33 points on 13-of-19 shooting with five assists and three rebounds. Chet Holmgren (26 points on 9-of-13 shooting) particularly stood out with an early shooting streak and then some authoritative plays as the game spiraled out of control.
The Pelicans have played some very important games over the past few weeks, fighting for a playoff spot at the end of the regular season, playing in both play-in games, and then flying to Oklahoma to face the top seed in the West. If they are tired, they certainly will be on Wednesday.