In what was a complete script-flip from the start of Game 3, a straight-up horrendous start from the Heat in Game 4 gave the Celtics the only opening they needed in a 20-point, wire-to-wire win over Miami at TD Garden.
And make no mistake about it, that 102-82 final score made this one seem way closer than it ever was, to be honest.
On the board with 18 of the first 19 points of the evening, the Celtics watched with glee as the Heat got off to an impossibly bad 0-for-14 start from the floor, and carried an 18-point edge into the second quarter. The Celtics did it with authority, too, as they out-rebounded the Heat by a 20-to-8 mark, and got to the free throw line 12 times by the quarter’s end.
Oh, and there was also a sweet tone-setting jam from Jayson Tatum off a sweet lob from Derrick White.
The lob... THE JAM pic.twitter.com/iUf4BU2inU
Aided by Miami’s continued struggles, the Celtics refused to take their foot off the gas, and ballooned their lead out to 24 points by halftime. And in the second quarter, it was once again Boston’s free-throw domination that bailed ’em out, with makes on 12 of their 14 tries from the free throw line, while the Heat managed to get to the line just three times in the frame.
From there, the Celtics were on cruise control and the Heat failed to take advantage with a surge of any sort, which ultimately allowed C’s head coach Ime Udoka to rest almost all of his starters in the fourth quarter.
Tatum finished with a game-high 31 points on an 8-for-16 shooting night, while Al Horford stuffed the stat sheet with five points, three assists, four blocks, and a Celtics-high 13 rebounds in 33:04 of play.
Miami finished the night with just 18 points from their starting lineup, which was the fewest points by any starting lineup in an NBA playoff game since 1970-71, according to ESPN.
The Celtics played this contest without Marcus Smart, as the swelling in Smart’s foot and ankle proved to be too much to overcome. Robert Williams III, who entered Monday with a ‘questionable’ designation due to a knee injury, suited up and finished with 12 points and nine rebounds in 18:38.
The Heat, meanwhile, were forced to play Game 4 without Tyler Herro available.
Game 5 will be Wednesday night in Miami.
May 23, 2022; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) leaps for the basket in the first quarter against the Miami Heat during game four of the 2022 eastern conference finals at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - MAY 23: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics reacts against the Miami Heat during the second quarter in Game Four of the 2022 NBA Playoffs Eastern Conference Finals at TD Garden on May 23, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
May 23, 2022; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) celebrates a play in the first quarter during game four of the 2022 eastern conference finals at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
May 23, 2022; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics center Al Horford (42) moves the ball defended by Miami Heat guard Victor Oladipo (4) in the first half during game four of the 2022 eastern conference finals at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
May 23, 2022; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) celebrates a play with guard Derrick White (9) in the first half against the Miami Heat during game four of the 2022 eastern conference finals at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports
May 23, 2022; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Miami Heat forward P.J. Tucker (17) shoots the ball over Boston Celtics center Robert Williams III (44) in the first half during game four of the 2022 eastern conference finals at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - MAY 23: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics shoots the ball against Bam Adebayo #13 of the Miami Heat during the third quarter in Game Four of the 2022 NBA Playoffs Eastern Conference Finals at TD Garden on May 23, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Winslow Townson/Getty Images)
May 23, 2022; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) looks to move the ball defended by Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) in the second half during game four of the 2022 eastern conference finals at TD Garden. Credit: Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports
May 23, 2022; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) hangs from the basket in the first quarter against the Miami Heat during game four of the 2022 eastern conference finals at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports
May 23, 2022; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics center Robert Williams III (44) dunks the ball in the first quarter against the Miami Heat during game four of the 2022 eastern conference finals at TD Garden. Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - MAY 23: Al Horford #42 of the Boston Celtics reacts in front of Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat during the second quarter in Game Four of the 2022 NBA Playoffs Eastern Conference Finals at TD Garden on May 23, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
May 23, 2022; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Miami Heat forward P.J. Tucker (17) shoots the ball over Boston Celtics center Robert Williams III (44) in the first half during game four of the 2022 eastern conference finals at TD Garden. Credit: Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - MAY 23: Al Horford #42 of the Boston Celtics blocks a shot by Caleb Martin #16 of the Miami Heat during the fourth quarter in Game Four of the 2022 NBA Playoffs Eastern Conference Finals at TD Garden on May 23, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - MAY 23: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics dunks the ball against Bam Adebayo #13 of the Miami Heat during the first quarter in Game Four of the 2022 NBA Playoffs Eastern Conference Finals at TD Garden on May 23, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
May 23, 2022; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) goes to the basket in the first half against the Miami Heat during game four of the 2022 eastern conference finals at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
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Ty Anderson is a writer and columnist for 985TheSportsHub.com. He has been covering the Bruins since 2010, and has been a member of the Boston chapter of the PHWA since 2013. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Yell at him on Twitter: @_TyAnderson.
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