The Miami Heat surprised the Boston Celtics 111-101 at TD Garden on Wednesday to even out their first-round playoff matchup at 1-1.
Playing without their injured leader Jimmy Butler, the Heat set a franchise playoff record by sinking 23 three-pointers to upset the Celtics. Tyler Herro led the scoring with 24 points, knocking down six triples, and also dished out 14 assists. Bam Adebayo contributed a double-double with 21 points and 10 rebounds.
Caleb Martin also had a standout performance, matching Adebayo's 21 points and hitting five of six attempts from beyond the arc.
Following a lopsided defeat in Game 1, few anticipated such a dramatic turnaround in Game 2. Yet, this is the Heat, accustomed to defying expectations. Miami supporters may start to harbor hopes of replicating last season's remarkable playoff journey, which saw them reach the NBA Finals from the play-in round.
Herro acknowledged the team's poor showing in the series opener but praised their collective response in Wednesday night's game.
"We've faced skepticism throughout our playoff campaigns, with many doubting our abilities," Adebayo remarked, as reported by ESPN. "But why lose faith now? With our backs against the wall and everyone against us, let's use that as motivation. Our squad believes we can emerge victorious. So, let's make it a one-on-one showdown – a fierce battle. Let's ball."
Buoyed by confidence, Butler shared a photoshopped image on Instagram, depicting his face superimposed onto Celtics star Jaylen Brown's body. Beneath it was Brown's quote from last season's Conference Finals when the Celtics trailed 3-0 to the Heat: "Don't let us get one." The Heat ultimately clinched the series in seven games.
Brown led the Celtics in scoring with 33 points, while Jason Tatum added 28.
The teams now head to Miami for the first of two games on Saturday.
OKC hammer the Pelicans
Meanwhile, the youthful Oklahoma City Thunder dominated the New Orleans Pelicans 124-92 to seize a commanding 2-0 series advantage.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander delivered a stellar performance, notching a game-high and his personal playoff best of 33 points on an impressive 68.4% shooting. Chet Holmgren contributed 26 points, with Jalen Williams adding 21.
The Pelicans, still missing Zion Williamson due to a hamstring injury sustained in the play-in, were paced by Jonas Valančiūnas with 19 points, while Brandon Ingram and Herb Jones chipped in 18 apiece.
