Celtics turn ice cold in second half against Miami 118-107

Boston bombs a second half lead and surrendered Game 1 to the Heat.

The battle for the NBA Finals started on Tuesday between the Miami Heat and the Boston Celtics. Going into Game 1, the Celtics would be without Marcus Smart (knee sprain) and Al Horford (Covid19 protocol), which made things a little less favorable for the surging Celtics.

Boston was in their defensive bag early on. Jayson Tatum and Grant Williams was chasing blocks and pouncing on loose balls, which helped their team get easy transitional buckets. The Celtics seven point lead was erased towards the end of the first quarter, because Tyler Herro was being Superman. Herro helped the Heat go on a 10-4 run. The C's were clinging onto a 28-25 lead at the end of the quarter.

Boston's head coach Ime Udoka went deep into his bench in the second quarter and inserted Aaron Nesmith, who impacted the game immediately. He had a huge block that got the Celtics going on a 10-2 run to extend their lead to 11 at the eight minute mark of the second. While the Celtics were shooting lights out, Miami' fans were holding their breath, because PJ Tucker injured his ankle on a non contact play. JT finished the half with 20 points and had his team in control 62-54 at the break.

For Miami fans' there was a sigh of relief at the start of the second half. Tucker wrapped up the right ankle, which was bothering him and went back on the floor. Boston once again let a lead slip by turning the ball over and not getting back on defense. Miami went on a 22-2 vice journey and had the Celtics' trying to figure out what just happened in a five minute span. The Heat went on a 33-14 run to go up 17 at the end of the third quarter.

Boston was all out of sorts and frustration in the fourth. Players were taking unnecessary fouls, taking more one on one shots instead of rotating the ball to open players, but yet got themselves back in the game by getting to the foul line and knocking down the free throws. Too much Butler killed the Celtics' confidence late and they walked away with a frustrating loss.

JT finished with 29