Jayson Tatum, Kristaps Porzingis get Celtics past Heat
February 12 – Jayson Tatum posted 26 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists as the Boston Celtics defeated the host Miami Heat 110-106 on Sunday afternoon.
Kristaps Porzingis added 25 points, nine rebounds and two blocks for the Celtics, who also received 20 points and nine 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 six 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 Jan. 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.
