Heat vs Celtics summary: stats, scores and highlights | 2023 NBA Playoffs - Eastern Conference finals Game 2

The Heat stay hot

Though Game 2 started out somewhat disjointed with both teams missing several shots, it quickly became clear that Miami is not in the Eastern Conference finals by luck.

While Boston came into this series on the back of stellar play from their stars, and riding the generally accepted wave of favorites, the Heat arrived courtesy of grit and determination, something that definitely showed tonight. From Strus' pin-point shooting, to Martin's productivity and of course Bam Adebayo's presence, the Heat never wavered. Then of course there was Jimmy Butler, who continues to carry his team to victory game in and game out.

This is not to say that the Celtics were overawed, after all the score was tight at 111-105. Jayson Tatum was impressive as usual and his 30 points and 7 rebounds are testament to that fact. There was also Grant Williams who wasn't just constant in his production, but in his presence as well.

Yet, it's got to be said that for a team that has been touted as possessing immense depth, the Celtics supporting cast were outdone by those of the Heat. Gabe Vincent for example contributed a solid 21 points off the bench and many of them came at critical moments.

Ultimately, the Celtics are now in a hole that's two games deep and they're heading to Miami. While the task in front of them is not impossible, it's many will say it's improbable. Whatever the case, this isn't a situation where Boston is playing bad, it's just Miami is playing better. The question now is, what can they do about that?

The Celtics are in trouble. Strus is fouled and it's now a 6 point lead after he makes his 2nd. Boston try for the three and it's a miss. That's a wrap folks. The heat now have a 2-0 lead!

Heat in bound and Vincent will go to the line. he makes it and that's a 4 point lead.

Tatum is fouled on his way and will go to the line. This one is going down to the wire. He sinks both and it's a 2-point game. 107-105 Miami. The Celtics call a timeout.

Celtics with the timeout after what appears to be the dagger from the Heat. it's 107-103 with 35 on the clock.

Huge offensive rebound by Heat and a Bam dunk. 5-point lead Miami with very little left.

This one is tight folks. It's a 3-point Heat lead with just over a minute left.

Butler tries again but misses...Boston press but Tatum is called for an offensive foul. That's not good.

Butler again! it's a 2-point lead for the Heat and it gets worse as Horford fouls Strus. He'll go to the line where he makes his 1st. Then his 2nd it's a 3point Miami lead.

Butler is at again and he nails 2 from distance. It's a tied game at 100.

Boston have called a timeout with Bam at the line and a 3-point lead. It's 100-97 Boston.

Off we go again. The challenge was denied as the ref deemed that the ball had already left Butler's hand before contact was made.

Smart takes on Butler at the arc and there appears to have been a foul but the ref has somehow called it on Butler. The Heat will challenge but they've called a time-out.

Brown is bizarrely called for traveling. Heat ball and it's Robinson who gets the feed and the basket. It's a two-point game!

This is becoming a battle now. Grant williams answers with 2. Butler has a go at him again and is fouled for his trouble. he'll go to the line.

Celtics put it out of bounds and it's Miami who will bring it up. It's Butler once again and that's another 2. It's 96-92.

We've got some fire burning on the court now. Butler seems to have taken exception to something Williams said and they're having a go at it. Nothing comes of it but it's clear these teams aren't playing around. Butler answers with 2 and get's fouled. He makes both and we've got a 6-point game.

The Celtics are defending well and they force Robinson into a turnover. Grant Williams gets it on the opposite end and that's a big three!

We're back at it and it's Brogdon who tries his luck but he's blocked and the Heat come away with it. Brown is forced to foul and the Heat will inbound. Robinson tries from three but it's a miss and out of bounds. Celtics ball.

The Heat are doing their best to get in this fight but it's tough going. Lowry takes ito the hoop but he misses and is actually called for traveling. Heat call a timeout.

Robinson uses the screen to sink a timely three. The Celtics were threatening to run away with it.

Robinson answers with a three of his own, but then so too does Tatum it's 91-82.

What a play from Boston. Tatum swung it wide to Williams who fired it in to Williams III for the easy 2 under the basket.

Grant Williams misses and actually dives for the lose ball as he contests with Robinson. It's a jump ball which the Celtics win.

Jaylen Brown takes it strong to the hoop and he's fouled. Hell go to the line where he makes his 1st. The 2nd is missed and Boston maintain a 10 point lead.

Here we go again and it's the 4th now Boston with the ball and it's Robert Williams with the fade away and the foul. He'll go to the line! Boston with the 10 point lead and a chance to make it 11. He does!

The Celtics bring it up to close out the quarter and Tatum is the man with the final shot, but it misses and that's that for the 3rd. Celtics lead 83-75.

Brogdon is on his way in and is fouled. He'll fo to the line. He makes his first and his second to take the score to 83-75.

The Heat are starting to struggle. Butler takes it in but has it stolen away which sends Williams on his was alone for an easy lay in.

Celtics are going off now. Tatum drains a three and that's 79-70 Celtics, but Martin responds with a three of his own and it's 79-73.

Butler tries to take to the hoop, but he's blocked by Williams. Celtics take it up and it's Williams again but this time on offense. He's fouled and will go to the line.

A big three from Tatum. Boston are up 74-68. That takes him to 27 on the night. It's fair to say he'd having a good game.

Here we go again. Jaylen Brown with the quick but the Heat respond through Butler. 69-68 Boston.

An explosive play from the Heat there with Butler taking it to the hoop but then dishing it back to Bam who brings it down heavy with the dunk. Celtics call a timeout.

Off the in bound Tatum makes a lovely spin move to score from the corner. Boston with the five point lead. 67-62.

A big 2 from Tatum there as he drfits past Robinson. The Heat bring it up but miss and it's back at them immediately. Tatum is fouled on his way in and looks uncomfortable after it.

Tatum takes it to the hoop and is fouled. He'll go to the line. He makes his first and that's a tied game 62-62. He does the same with his second and Boston lead.

Celtics are building now and it's Tatum who glides past Bam to take it to the hoop. Boston lead 61-60.

Kevin Love called for the offensive foul on White. Celtics bring it up and it's White who returns the favor with two from distance. Then we have a steal and Tatum finishes with authority it's a one point game.

Butler isn't having it and that's a decent 2 from the paint. That's 60-55.

Once again the teams are trading misses but Jaylen Brown finally brings an end to the mess and it's now 58-55 to the Heat.

After some back and forth the Celtics come up with the ball and it's Jaylen Brown with a timely 3 from the corner. That's a three point game.

We're back at it and Butler opens with a difficult shot from just outside the paint. It's 56-50 to the Heat.

That's the end of the first half and it's Miami who go to the locker room with a 54-50 lead.

Smart makes both and Boston has a 1 point lead. Unfortunately Vincent answers with a three.

Butler is winded and forced into fouling Smart who will go to the line.

Celtics bring it up but Butler gets another steal. This is back and forth now.

It's back and forth but Tatum comes up with it and feeds it to Brogdon who is fouled and will go to the line. He makes both and it's a 1-point game.

Another Heat tunronver and it's Tatum going to work. He tries for a difficult one and misses.Martin takes it up and again the Heat turn it over, but unbelievably so do the Celtics immediately.

Butler is fouled on his way in and he'll go to the line. He makes both and it's Miami up 49-46.

Very crafty play from Jaylen Brown who's been quiet so far. he feeds an open Smart for the easy 2. It's a 1-point Heat lead.

Smart brings an end to Bam's run and feeds Williams who produces a classy finger roll.

Here we go again. Heat ball and Strus with a big three out of nowhere. That's followed by a Celtics turnover and a quick 2 from Robinson. Heat lead by 5 at 47-42.

The Heat are on a 14-2 run, make that 16. It's a tied game at 42-41 and the Celtics will call a time out.

Williams tries to bring an end to Miami's run and is fouled. He'll go to he line where he makes both. It's 42-38 Boston.

White makes his way along the baseline but has it poked away by Robinson. Celtics will in bound but its immediately taken by Martin which sets up Strus for another 3!

Robinson finds Adebayo in thepaint with a smooth pass but Bam is fouled, it'll be inbounded.

The teams are exhanging more blows at this point than points, but the Heat get another three through Strus. It's Boston up by 7.

Adebayo is at the line and makes his first and his second. It's a 10 point game.

Adebayo takes it to the hoop and appears to have been tripped en route. The players are coming together now and it's clear that there is no love lost between these two teams.

White with another three, that's 3 of 4. this guy is having a good night. It's a 10 point game with Boston leading 38-28.

We're back at it and Tatum commits his 2nd foul of the night. Robinson tries for a three off the inbound but it misses and Tatum takes it up. White scores another basket off of Tatum's pass.

That's immediately followed by a steal from Tatum who takes it by himself for 2. It's 33-24 Boston. Heat call a timeout and rightly so.

That's immediately followed by a steal from Tatum who takes it by himself for 2. It's 33-24 Boston.

Slick play from the Celtics who set up Williams in the corner for a big three!

We're back at it and Grant Williams is put to work against Butler who he forces in to a missed shot.

The Heat take it up court but Lowry's shot from distance misses. That's a wrap for the 1st quarter.

Boston is on a roll here as Butler is dispossessed. Tatum takes it straight to the hoop and is fouled. He'll go to the line where he makes his first. That's a tied game at 24-24. He makes his second and Boston have the lead!

Butler is blocked and Tatum fires the ball up court to Pritchard for an easy 2. Heat are going to need to focus, but that doesn't matter because they turn it over and that's Williams with a dunk. It's 24-20.

Lowry is called for an offensive foul though he's not sure why and it's Celtics ball. Tatum tries a difficult shot from beyond the arc and actually gets his own rebound to put if back for 2. 22-16.

We're back at it and the Celtics go to work immediately, it's Tatum with 2 and we've got a 20-14 game, but Martin brings an end to that immediately, it's 22-14.

Butler is being tightly guarded by White and it pays off, the Heat turn it over and it's the Celtics with the ball, but Miami call another timeout.

Butler is being tightly guarded by White and it pays off, the Heat turn it over and it's the Celtics with the ball, but Miami call another timeout.

Big three from Boston there courtesy of White and another followed by Jaylen Brown. it's 18-14 now to the Heat, actually make that 20 as Butler gets another basket.

Wow. Strus with a drifting 3-pointer out of nowhere. What's up with this guy?

We're back at it Celtics ball.

After some decent passing around the arc, Tatum picks a nice pass to Horford who is in alone and we've got 2. Heat call a time out.

After some decent passing around the arc, Tatum picks a nice pass to Horford who is in alone and we've got 2. Heat call a time out.

Heat at it now. Bam takes it to the hoop but is blocked by Tatum. The Celtics take it up court but it's another miss. Again, these two are exchanging misses.

Butler at it again, but this time he misses and Tatum gets the rebound. The Celtics are holding their own now on defense.

Jimmy Butler responds with his first two of the night, the Heat are up 11-7.

The pace is frantic now and both teams are exchanging misses. Horford the latest to do so from beyond the arc, but Tatum corrects the course with a three!

Tatum with a slick move for his first two of the night.

Bam takes it strong to the hoop but is fouled on his way there. He'll go to the line and he sinks them both. The Heat are up 9-2.

Strus with a three out of nowhere that's 7-2 to the Heat.

Smart tries for a difficult and misses. The Heat respond with their first two through Love.

The Celtics draw first blood and we're off and running.

We're ready to go

The players are on the court, the crowd is on its feet, it's Game 2 in the Eastern Conference Finals. The Maimi Heat are leading this series 1-0. The Celtics have no margin for error.

It's that time

The National Anthem is being sung, hands are on chests, and the TD Garden is on its feet. It's game time folks...let's go!

It's about who throws the 'first punch.'

The former Defensive Player of the Year knows what it's about. Truth is, the Heat have shown that they're not just here to make up numbers. Despite their tag as favorites, the Celtics are going to have to work for this one.

It's almost game time!

We're now just about half hour away from tip off and I'd venture to say that we're in for an intense game tonight.

Last night, we saw the Lakers and the Nuggets go at it and to be fair they put on quite a show, but the West is the West and this is the East. 

Expect tonight to be gritty, tooth and nail, from the court in the park kind of basketball. The Heat are 1 up and the Celtics know they can't afford to go down 2. This one is gonna be good.

Tatum needs to turn up.

The young gun is without doubt one of the best of the NBA's new generation, and his team is highly favored to claim their 17th NBA title. To be clear, that would put them one ahead of the Lakers with whom they are tied on 16, making them the team with the most in history.

The point is, if the Celtics are to tie the series tonight, it's going to depend heavily on the likes of Jayson Tatum, but something tells me he's comfortable with that fact. Indeed, I think he embraces it.

Mr. Brown is in the building

While we do expect the Celtics to come out guns blazing, it goes without saying that much of their ability to shoot to kill will depend on Jaylen Brown.

This series has got history...

When it comes to the Eastern Conference, these two teams are synonymous with the term "heavyweight." Fittingly, they've provided us with some memorable moments and then some. Tonight's game promises to be another scintillating chapter, in the story that the the Miami Heat and Boston Celtics have written over the years. Stay with us, it's gonna be a good one.

The man of the moment

In any sport, there are talented players, there are specialized players, there are those who are disciplined and work hard, and there are those shake things up.

Yet, every now and then we come across those who possess all of those attributes and so, we call them leaders. Where Jimmy Butler is concerned, you can take what you will from that description.

When history repeats itself...

Now that's just crazy if you ask us. If you ask the Celtics on the other hand, you probably won't get an answer that we can publish here in the feed.

The Jimmy Butler Show

If the Celtics are to have any hope of advancing from this series against the Heat, it will start with keeping the Heat's talisman quiet. On the other hand, we do appreciate that it's much easier to say that, than do it. Good luck to Boston!

From the regular season tussles, to the Heat and their head coach, it's important to understand just exactly what both teams are working with as they head into this crucial second game of their Conference Finals series.

The Heat will be looking to build on that all important win in Game 1, while the Celtics will be looking to make their mark in a series which they've already lost ground in. Don't miss a moment!

These two got something going on

It's clear that the Eastern Conference finals are about to get lit. With both teams firing on all cylinders, we can expect fireworks when they meet tonight. While the Heat have drawn first blood, it would be a mistake to believe the the Celtics won't be looking to return the favor come game time. Stay with us!

Welcome Welcome Welcome!

It's another big night in the NBA Playoffs, as we've got a huge clash between the Miami Heat and the Boston Celtics. Though the boys in Green are heavily favored in this series, it appears the Heat didn't read the script as they came out on top in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference finals series.

Of course, it would be naive to believe that the Celtics won't be looking to right their wrongs in Game 2 and if we're honest Boston boasts a team that's as good as any if not somewhat better. What's that mean? The Heat and all of you, can expect a performance from the Celtics on Friday night that is all about vengeance.

If you're new to our coverage then allow us to say 'welcome' once more, if you're not then you know we're going to bring it to you straight and undiluted. So, be sure to stay with us as we take you through the action in what promises to be an intense affair.