The Boston Celtics took a commanding 3-1 lead in their first-round playoff series against the Miami Heat with a convincing 102-88 victory in Game 4 on Monday night.
Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown led the way for the Celtics, combining for 48 points. Derek White exploded for 19 points off the bench, including several key three-pointers in the third quarter that helped Boston pull away.
The Celtics defense was stifling once again, holding the Heat to just 88 points and a dismal 27% shooting from three-point range. Miami’s star player, Jimmy Butler, was held to just 17 points on inefficient shooting 100paintingschallenge.com/.
The series now shifts back to Miami for Game 5 on Wednesday. The Heat will be desperate to avoid elimination on their home court.
Key Takeaways:
- Celtics defense continues to dominate, limiting Heat’s scoring opportunities.
- Derek White provides a much-needed spark off the bench for Boston.
- Celtics take control of the series with a chance to close it out in Miami.
Looking Ahead:
- Can the Heat bounce back and extend the series at home?
- Will the Celtics close out the series and advance to the second round?
Storylines to Watch:
- Jimmy Butler’s bounce-back performance: Can Butler lead the Heat to victory on their home court?
- The Celtics’ continued defensive dominance: Will Boston be able to contain Miami’s offense once again?
- The impact of role players: Can players like Derrick White and Tyler Herro continue to make big contributions for their respective teams?
This series has been a battle so far, and Game 5 promises to be another exciting matchup. The Celtics are on the cusp of advancing, but the Heat will be fighting for their playoff lives on their home turf.