Celtics beat Heat in Miami, 100-90
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| Acquired at the trade deadline, Italian forward Luigi Datome has been efficient with his newfound minutes in green. |
Boston's high energy to open the game mostly overshadowed some sloppiness. After the Heat made a run to end the second quarter, Boston went into the locker-room leading 43-40. Tyler Zeller's early efforts came in the form of 6 points (3-4 from the field), 3 rebounds and a block by halftime, but Luigi Datome was quick to steal the attention. The Italian rookie followed up his efficient debut in green (yesterday night) by leading the Celts in scoring at the midway point with 9 points on 4-6 shooting and 2 rebounds in 11 minutes. Datome would finish with 13 points (6-9) and 3 rebounds.
Miami's Hassan Whiteside was limited after picking up three early fouls, and was ultimately ejected after a foolish flagrant two foul targeting Kelly Olynyk. Dwyane Wade contributed 13 points (6-10 shooting) and 2 rebounds at half.
The Heat briefly took the lead in the third quarter, but Isaiah Thomas sparked Boston's response and the Celts went into the fourth with a 73-64 lead. Thomas finished with 25 points and 4 assists.
Dwyane Wade erupted for 16 points in the fourth, but it wasn't enough for the Heat. Wade finished with a game-high 34 points (13-23 from the field), 4 rebounds and 2 assists. Loul Deng finished with 11 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists, and Mario Chalmers chipped in 12 points and 4 assists.
Brandon Bass was also notably effective for Boston with 14 points (7-14 shooting), 9 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 steals. The Celtics shot 16-17 (94.1%) at the charity stripe in the win.
Here's a look at the final box score for Boston:
The Celtics (26-36) will host Marc Gasol and the Grizzlies (45-18) at 7:30 PM ET on Wednesday.
Photo courtesy of Isaac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images
