Like Game 1, the Boston Celtics felt they were in control. This time, however, they extended the lead all the way to 17 points in the second quarter, essentially getting whatever they wanted aggressively. And this time, the turnaround was faster and more extreme: the Miami Heat took a 20-4 lead in the third quarter and took a seven-point lead in the final frame.
And just like in Game 1, Miami grabbed the 3-ranked Celtics, taking them completely out of rhythm with its combination of 2-3 zones and switching. The heat also blended into some full court pressure, and Boston will look like a totally different team than it started.
To his credit, the Celtics responded at both ends after their cold snap. Miami missed 10 of its first 12 shots in the final frame, and Boston led 15-2. Once again, however, the heat remained firm, coming back with a 106-101 win and taking a 2-0 lead in the Eastern Conference final, largely thanks to the heroism of the game at the end of defender Goran Drazic.
With less than two minutes left, the Celtics were in near full defensive possession until Drazic hit a 3 f-the-dribble 3 over big man Daniel Thiss to give the Heat a 100-95 lead. Dredic, who helped keep the heat afloat in the opener of the series, hit another jumper over the thesis on the front possession. He finished with 10 points plus five assists in 10-for-19 shooting.
Boston’s Jillian Brown hit a pair of clutch 3s, but missed one in the corner that left her with 15 seconds left. Game Saturday the 3rd.
