Pair of Celtics score 25 points in series-clinching win over Heat

Jaylen Brown and Derrick White each led the way in 25 points, capping off an absolutely phenomenal series for White. 

Boston’s season-long leading scorer Jayson Tatum took a bit of a backseat in terms of scoring but was a physical force with 12 rebounds and earned an impressive +/- of +35 in 32 minutes on the floor. 

With plenty of time for backups to take the court, bench forward Sam Hauser had a nice game as he chipped in 17 points before giving way to players who sit even farther down the bench.

It was another scrappy, physical series between these two teams, as the Celtics lost star forward Kristaps Porzingis to an injury for a still-undetermined period of time, and controversy ensued as Miami forward Bam Adebayo contested a shot from Tatum after the whistle had been blown. 

The Celtics will now await a conclusion of the series between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Orlando Magic, which the Cavaliers currently lead 3-2, and could end either on Friday or Sunday. 

Once Boston is back in action, the big question will be how it performs without Porzingis, and how long it will have to do it. This year is rightfully viewed as make-or-break for a Celtics team that has struggled to get over the championship hump despite being perennial top contenders, so even an injury to a talented player will not serve as an excuse.

Meanwhile, Miami now enters an offseason in which it looks poised to make a push to acquire the legendary Kevin Durant from the Phoenix Suns. Whatever’s next for either of these teams, it’s not hard to imagine another postseason clash just about a year from now. It’s happened in four of the past five seasons.