Boston Celtics: the 3 best C’s games from 2019-20 to watch on NBA League Pass

Boston Celtics at Miami Heat — January 28th, 2020

This game is so special because it proved just how special hot starts can be for this Celtics squad who have struggled to do so throughout the 2019-20 season.

Though Boston managed to keep the lead throughout the majority of the game, the Heat always remained in striking distance, which gave this contest a major dramatic/ playoff feel.

With Jayson Tatum sitting out, the team needed the others amongst their core group — Kemba Walker, Jaylen Brown, Gordon Hayward and Marcus Smart — to step up, and step up they did.

All four of these aforementioned players managed to score in double figures, with Hayward putting forth one of his best outings as a Boston Celtic, putting up 29 points, nine boards and a block on 71 percent shooting from the field and 50 percent shooting from deep.

Brown too proved to be efficient from the field, as he scored 25 points while also registering at a 50 percent clip from deep.

Walker was a bit inconsistent from the field — shooting an abysmal 26 percent from the field — but made up for his shortcomings by zoning in on his distribution skills, accumulating eight dimes and a plethora of other hockey assists in his 37 minutes of action.

However, quite possibly the most entertaining player to watch during this game for the Boston Celtics was their night in and night out energizer bunny, Marcus Smart. We all know about the 26 year old’s defensive genius (at just 6-3 he registered 3 blocks on the night) but it was his long range shooting stroke and, surprisingly, his rebounding skills that sealed this win for the C’s.

In the fourth quarter, the Heat refused to quit, and came within five points after going on a little run with under four minutes left in the game. At the 1:50 mark, Smart hit a clutch three from the top of the key to extend Boston’s lead to eight (104-106).

However, Miami refused to relinquish and instilled fear in the hearts of Celtics fans that they still had a chance to come out victorious from this outing by continuing to strike offensively.

With just 38 seconds remaining, after a missed three point attempt by Walker, Smart skied higher than both Adebayo (6-9) and Jimmy Butler (6-8) to tap out the offensive rebound back to Walker, where then Gordon Hayward was fouled, made both his free-throws and, ultimately, came out victorious to the tune of 109-101.

It was just the third loss the Miami Heat had at home — the first also coming against the C’s — this season, and was easily one of the most fun and exciting games to have watched as a Boston Celtics fan in 2019-20.