The Boston Celtics have staved off NBA playoff elimination for at least one night. After falling in a 3-0 hole to start the Eastern Conference Finals against the Miami Heat, the Celtics responded with a nice bounce-back performance in Game 4 on Tuesday.
Boston won 116-99, which was the first game Miami was held under 110 points in a game this postseason outside of the six against the New York Knicks in the second round. The Celtics showed some heart after getting embarrassed in Game 3, losing 128-102.
“We were just trying to save our season,” Jayson Tatum said.
Tatum showed up when the team needed him most, pouring in 33 points with 11 rebounds and seven assists. It was the first time in the series that he scored a basket in the fourth quarter of a game. It could not have come at a better time with his team having their backs up against the wall.
NBA NEWS & PLAYOFFS: Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics, Jimmy Butler & Miami Heat Updates
While Tatum led the way, he received plenty of help. Five other Celtics scored in double-figures, including Grant Williams off the bench with 14. What made the difference for Boston on this night was their 3-point shooting.
“Tonight we played with pace, purpose,” Tatum said. “We were getting stops. We were getting out in transition. You see layups and free throws go in, the jump shots start to feel a lot easier.”
They shot 18-of-45 from the field, connecting at 40 percent. Tatum, Al Horford, Marcus Smart, Derrick White and Williams all knocked down at least three 3-pointers apiece. Miami, on the other hand, was ice cold from deep for the first time basically all postseason, going 8-of-32.
“They got us tonight,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. “You have to give them credit for that. There’s no doubt about it. There’s no questioning it. We’re not wondering about that. They deserved to win tonight. We have to regroup and get ready for a great opportunity in Boston.”
NBA NEWS & PLAYOFFS: Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics, Jimmy Butler & Miami Heat Updates
Despite being down 3-1 in the series, the pressure is starting to shift toward the Heat. Boston is playing with house money right now; no one is expecting them to overcome a 3-0 series lead and become the first team in NBA history to do so.
“We always say the last one to get is the hardest one to get,” Heat center Bam Adebayo said. “I knew they would be desperate.”
The Celtics didn’t want to get swept and accomplished that feat. They are taking things one game at a time and will be returning home for Game 5. If they can replicate the performance they had in Game 4, there is a strong chance this series will return to South Beach for Game 6.
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