NBA leader Celtics extend win streak after cooling Heat in injury-laden game

Jayson Tatum posted 26 points, 10 rebounds and 9 assists as the Boston Celtics defeated the host Miami Heat 110-106 on Sunday, February 11 (Monday, February 12, Manila time).

Kristaps Porzingis added 25 points, 9 rebounds, and 2 blocks for the Celtics, who also received 20 points and 9 rebounds from Jaylen Brown.

Tyler Herro led Miami with 24 points. Bam Adebayo added 22 points and a game-high 13 rebounds.

There were several injuries in the game.

With 4:43 left in the third quarter, the Heat’s Terry Rozier drove to the rim and twisted his right knee after getting fouled by Al Horford. Rozier, who scored 13 points and dished a team-high 6 assists, did not return.

Miami also lost Josh Richardson to a first-half left-shoulder injury. Porzingis left the court in the third quarter due to a back injury but ultimately returned.

Jimmy Butler, who leads the Heat in scoring at 21.4 points per game, was out Sunday due a death in his family. No further details were released regarding Butler, who was given a leave of absence.

Boston improved to 3-0 against the Heat this season, including a 143-110 win over Miami on January 25. There was no blowout this time.

Porzingis, hot early, had 11 points in the first quarter when Boston took a 26-22 lead. The Celtics had a 7-0 edge in second-chance points during the first quarter, and they outscored Miami in the paint, 18-8.

Tatum led Boston with 10 second-quarter points as the Celtics led 59-50 at halftime.

In the second quarter, Boston shot 61.1% from the floor, including 6 of 11 on three-pointers. Miami, which shot just 35.7%, stayed in the game due to 11 points from Rozier.

Porzingis led all first-half scorers with 16 points and he also led in rebounds (8).

Miami had a 13-4 run in the third quarter but Boston ended the period with a 86-79 lead.

The fourth quarter featured a flagrant foul called on Brown for his hard yank of Duncan Robinson’s left arm. Three free throws and a layup later, Miami cut its deficit to 96-92 with 7:44 left.

Herro’s three-pointer with 1:49 left cut Miami’s deficit to 106-104. But Miami’s Haywood Highsmith missed a three-pointer that would have put the Heat on top, and Porzingis made two free throws to give Boston a 108-104 lead with 1:00 left.

The Celtics held on from there, shooting 50.6% from the floor for the game, including 16-for-39 on three-pointers. Miami shot 41.2%, including 12-for-40 from deep. – Rappler.com