After a disappointing Game 1 loss, the Boston Celtics needed to have a strong bounce-back performance in Game 2. As the C’s took the floor for the second of two in Miami, Marcus Smart and Al Horford returned. The duo had missed the first game as Smart had an injured foot, and Horford was in Health and Safety protocols.
With their full starting five for the first time since early in the Bucks series, Boston had a real chance to tie things up.
It was clear from the start that a fully healthy Celtics starting five is a problem. Unfortunately, the Celtics were without Derrick White as he flew home to Boston for the birth of his first child. Without White, Payton Pritchard stepped up once again and gobbled up rebounds and drop 3-pointers with efficiency. The former Oregon Duck was a historically good +39 when things were all said and done.
As Game 3 approaches and the Celtics return home, momentum is on their side. At one point in the third quarter, Boston held a 30-point lead over the heat. They were able to finish strong and defeat the South Beach boys by a final score of 127 to 102.
The only player listed on the Boston injury report ahead of their home matchup is Sam Hauser, who has been ruled out. Otherwise, the Cs are fully healthy and ready for Miami to enter the T.D. Garden.
The Celtics have a true chance to jump ahead in the series, especially with Kyle Lowry expected to remain out for the third game. At the time of this writing, the green and white are the favorite as they are -6.5 on the spread.
If the Boston Celtics hope to hold onto the momentum and take the series lead, they must hone in on these 3 keys.