The Boston Celtics secured a 103-91 victory over the Miami Heat on Friday night, pulling away in the fourth quarter behind Jayson Tatum’s 28-point performance. Jrue Holiday contributed 25 points, while Derrick White added 18, helping Boston clinch a playoff spot thanks to their win and Atlanta’s loss to the Clippers.
Boston’s defense stifled Miami once again, as the Heat fell to their sixth consecutive defeat and a season-worst eight games below .500. Andrew Wiggins led Miami with 23 points, while Tyler Herro added 19 and Jaime Jaquez Jr. chipped in 13. The Heat have now failed to crack 92 points in all three matchups against the Celtics this season, losing each by double digits.
The game remained competitive through three quarters, but Boston’s decisive 10-0 run early in the fourth proved to be the difference. After trailing by one, the Celtics surged ahead 88-79 with 9:19 remaining and never looked back.
Boston’s three-point shooting set the tone, as they drained 19 shots from beyond the arc, including four in the first 2:27 of the game. Their quick start mirrored a similar feat from a playoff game against Philadelphia on May 5, 2023.
For the first time in franchise history, the Heat finished a homestand of five or more games without a single win. Offensive woes plagued Miami once again, as they managed just 14 points in the fourth quarter. It marked the fourth time this season the Heat have been held to 14 points or fewer in a final period—and they are 0-4 in those games.
Miami also debuted a new starting lineup, inserting Duncan Robinson and Jaime Jaquez Jr. alongside Wiggins, Herro, and Bam Adebayo. That unit had not played together at all before Friday night, and the lack of cohesion was evident down the stretch.
Jaylen Brown (right knee) and Kristaps Porzingis (illness) were unavailable. Brown has been following a post-All-Star break schedule of playing three games before resting one, a pattern he has now repeated three times since Feb. 20. The latest lineup shake-up reflects Miami’s ongoing search for answers amid their slump. The Heat’s inability to execute late in games continues to cost them.
Both teams are right back in action on Saturday night. The Celtics travel to Brooklyn to face the Nets, while the Heat will try to snap their skid on the road against the Memphis Grizzlies.
