The Boston Celtics continued their hot streak on Monday night, cruising past the Miami Heat 108-89 at TD Garden. Jaylen Brown led the charge with 29 points, while Jayson Tatum contributed a double-double, scoring 18 points and grabbing 11 rebounds. Off the bench, Payton Pritchard provided a spark with 25 points, marking his fourth consecutive game with 20 or more points off the bench—a feat not accomplished by a Celtic since Isaiah Thomas in 2015.
Boston’s balanced attack also saw Derrick White chip in 19 points, as the defending NBA champions notched their eighth win in their last nine games.
The Heat were without their star forward Jimmy Butler, sidelined with a knee injury. In his absence, Jaime Jaquez Jr. stepped up with a solid performance, posting a double-double of 19 points and 10 rebounds. Tyler Herro also scored 19 points, but his shooting woes from beyond the arc (2-for-10) mirrored Miami’s overall struggles from deep. The team shot a dismal 23% from three-point range and just 36% from the field.
Miami started the game strong, scoring the first seven points, but their momentum quickly evaporated. The Celtics responded with a 17-2 run to seize control and never looked back, building a double-digit lead early in the second quarter and extending it to 20 points in the third.
One of the game’s highlights came at the end of the third quarter when Pritchard dribbled through the lane, sidestepped Miami defender Pelle Larsson, and banked in a left-handed layup at the buzzer. The basket gave Boston a 22-point lead, their largest of the night, and effectively sealed the game.
Pritchard’s performance off the bench continues to be a major storyline. His ability to score in bunches has provided the Celtics with a reliable spark, even in games where key players like Jrue Holiday, Al Horford, and Kristaps Porziņģis are unavailable.
For Miami, rookie Keshad Johnson made his NBA debut, scoring two points in seven minutes. His contribution was a small bright spot on a night when the Heat struggled to find rhythm on both ends of the floor.
Both teams return to action on Wednesday night. The Celtics will host the Detroit Pistons, looking to maintain their dominant form, while the Heat welcome the Los Angeles Lakers in hopes of bouncing back from Monday’s loss.
Boston has yet to lose back-to-back games this season, a testament to their depth and resilience. Meanwhile, Miami will need to find consistency, particularly in their shooting, as they navigate the absence of Butler and aim to stay competitive in the Eastern Conference.
