The Smart and Horford impact on the Celtics’ Game 2 win
Smart and Horford came back strong, leading the Celtics to their largest road playoff lead in franchise history at the half.
The Boston Celtics tied their Eastern Conference finals series with a huge Game 2 victory over the Miami Heat on Thursday night.
After going down 10 points early in the first quarter, the Celtics outscored Miami by 35 in the last 19 minutes of the first half. They scored 70 points at half, marking Boston’s largest halftime lead on the road in NBA postseason history.
Game 1 of the 1985 Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers was the last time the franchise reached 70 points.
That was the first time the Celtics have scored 70 points in the first half of an ECF or Finals game since Game 1 of the 1985 Finals against the Lakers, per @Stathead. Coincidentally, the last time they scored 70 in a half in the ECF was Game 5 in the bubble against the Heat.
— Jared Weiss (@JaredWeissNBA) May 20, 2022
Marcus Smart, Al Horford impact on Celtics
Marcus Smart and Al Horford’s return after missing Game 1 due to a foot sprain and health protocols, has given the Celtics just what they needed: “a calming presence” like coach Ime Udoka told reporters after the game.
The duo combined for 34 points, shifting the series back to Boston (1-1) and tying the Eastern Conference finals at a game apiece.
"It was great to have the vets back and their calming presence... it helped to have those two back for sure"
— Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) May 20, 2022
Ime Udoka on Al Horford & Marcus Smart returning pic.twitter.com/iH6y9C3BAj
Boston “three” victory
The Celtics who are now 4-0 in these playoffs, made 20 shots from 3-point range to the Heat’s 10. They shot 9-for-11 from beyond the arc in the first quarter, marking their first time to make nine 3s in a first quarter in franchise history.
Jayson Tatum knocks down the @celtics 10th 3-pointer of the first half!#NBAConferenceFinals presented by Google Pixel on ESPN pic.twitter.com/a73x739zsD
— NBA (@NBA) May 20, 2022
Horford, Smart and the Celtics welcome the Heat at the TD Garden for Game 3 on Saturday at 8:30 p.m. ET.