ECF Celtics v Heat | Game 2 Recap

Heat 111 @ Celtics 105 | MIA leads series 2-0 | TD Garden | Boston, MA

Grant Triggers Jimmy Late in Boston Game 2 Collapse

In game two of the 2023 Eastern Conference Finals, the Miami Heat faced off against the Boston

Celtics. With both teams eager for a win, tensions were high from the beginning. After a gritty

game one win by Miami, Boston looked to reclaim their regular season home dominance that

saw them go 30-9. Game two started where game one ended, Miami grinding out a lead, and

Boston battling back but falling just short in the first half.

The Heat started off strong, quickly establishing a lead with their impressive defense and fast-

paced offense. However, the Celtics didn't let up and managed to close the gap, relying on their

veteran players to keep them in the game. It was a true back and forth affair with Boston winning

quarter one 25-24, then Miami winning quarter two 30-25 to take a four-point halftime lead.

Jayson Tatum started fast like in game one with 12 points in the first quarter, then disappeared in the second with only two points for a total of 14 at the half. Then the third quarter came, and Tatum re-found his stroke to the tune of 15 points in the frame to move that total to 29 to start the fourth and Boston not only gained the lead but started to pull away winning the quarter 33-21 building an eight-point lead.

In the fourth quarter things got heated after the third ended with Grant Williams and Butler literally nose to nose after each made a shot over the other. As I talked about in my Western Conference Finals Game 2 recap about Jamal Murray taking over after D’Angelo Russell ruffled his feathers. The same happened with Butler in Boston, coupled with another Houdini impersonation by Tatum in the fourth quarter with just five points, all after just 49.3 seconds remaining in the game after an 18-4 run got Miami a five-point lead. Tatum's literal last-minute

flurry helped Boston keep it close, but just like in game one, Butler put his team on his back and willed them to victory.

Butler was asked post-game what made his team so clutch, and he put it simply “We got some dogs and I love it. Guys never quit. We never give up. We love playing with one another and we’ve got so much faith and trust in one another and that’s what happens.” Butler was obviously also asked what happened between him and Grant Williams, again, Jimmy was at his succinct best stating it was just “healthy competition”. Maybe Williams should worry more about guarding Butler than doing his best to be the Meme King of the NBA in the worst way possible. Despite Tatum's best efforts, Butler's clutch performance secured the win for Miami with a final score of 111-105. Butler finished the game with 27 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 steals, and 2 blocks while Tatum ended with a game-high of 34 points and 13 rebounds. Miami now leads the series 2-0 as they head back home for game three.

The intensity of the game was evident from the start, with both teams fighting tooth and nail for every point. Miami's defense was particularly impressive, with Bam Adebayo putting on a masterclass in rim protection to go along with a double-double scoring 22 points and securing 17 rebounds while falling just one assist shy of a triple-double. The Celtics relied heavily on their veteran players, including Jaylen Brown and Marcus Smart, to keep them in the game. Despite their efforts, they were unable to overcome Miami's relentless defense and Butler' s heroics. It wasn't just about the Miami stars though as Caleb Martin had 25 points off the bench.

The win puts Miami in a strong position as they look to advance to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2020 and only the second 8-seed ever to make the finals alongside the 1999 New York Knicks. However, with Boston's home court advantage and Tatum's impressive form peeking out here and there, it's doubtful that this series is over despite Miami taking a 2-0 series lead to their home court. Regardless of Tatum’s consistency, fans can look forward to an exciting game three as the Eastern Conference Finals continue to heat up.