Dion Waiters’ clutch shooting propels Miami Heat past Boston Celtics
By Cory Sanning
The Miami Heat defeated the Boston Celtics on Wednesday night,104-98.
Four years ago, the Miami Heat headed into the TD Garden riding a 22-game win streak, and the Boston Celtics failed to stop it. When the Celtics departed Miami on Wednesday night, the feeling was not reciprocated.
Behind 27 points from Goran Dragic and 26 points (eight in the final two minutes) from Dion Waiters, the Heat snapped Boston’s season-high 16-game win streak, following a much-needed 104-98 victory.
Tyler Johnson recorded 16 points off the bench and Hassan Whiteside rallied eight points and 10 rebounds for Miami, who now falls just one game below .500 at 8-9.
Kyrie Irving led Boston with 23 points and three steals as the Celtics quickly erased a 16-point deficit during the waning minutes of the fourth, pulling within 91-90 with 3:14 remaining on the clock. Rookie Jayson Tatum scored 18 points and also grabbed seven rebounds for the Celtics. Jaylen Brown and Marcus Morris tallied 14 each as well.
During a contest in which the Heat lead from the 8:59 mark in the first quarter until the final buzzer, few saw the drama that took over the fourth period coming.
Boston got off to a quick 4-0 start following two quick baskets from Irving, but Miami would answer with an 11-0 run of their own, and led 27-16 after one behind six points from Dragic. The second period would prove much of the same, with the Heat building a 39-23 advantage as the seven-minute mark passed.
Dragic was once again Miami’s driving force, recording 14 points in the quarter as the Heat held a 54-41 lead at the intermission.
While the third period has been a struggle for this team throughout the first 16 games, the Heat would go on to outscore the Celtics 25-22 in the quarter, behind 10 points from Waiters. Despite holding a considerable 79-63 lead heading into the fourth, Miami would cause fans to hold their collective breaths…again.
Down but not out, the Celtics outscored the Heat 35-25 in the fourth period, embarking on a 13-0 run during the final minutes, as they pulled within one point as the three-minute mark passed.
That’s when Waiters happened.
Staring down Tatum on the far wing, the former Cleveland Cavalier launched a high-arcing shot over the rookie’s outstretched 6-foot-7 frame. Despite needing the top of the backboard and every inch of the rim, the shot fell through, putting Miami up 94-90 with 2:56 to play.
Following two missed free throws by Al Horford, Waiters once again took center stage during a time in which the Heat were struggling on offense. With Horford switched on him and the home crowd in an uproar, Waiters squared his shoulders and in one fluent motion, released a step-back three right in front of the Miami bench.
Bottom. He had no doubt about the result, either.
"“I knew what I wanted,” Waiters said."
While the Heat would go on to close the game out from the free throw line, “Waiters Island” made a triumphant return on Wednesday night when Miami needed him most.
Head coach Erik Spoelstra, while praising his team’s effort, is still looking for more improvement as the season progresses.
"“Our identity is to be tough and we haven’t shown that consistently enough,” Spoelstra said. “Pockets, here and there. It’s that kind of effort to get a six-point win.”"
The Heat (8-9) are heading out on a four-game road trip that includes stops in Minnesota, Cleveland, and New York, so being on top of their game is a must. With the All-Star break slowly approaching and plenty of games left to be played, Miami must play with a sense of urgency on every given night, and Spoelstra noted that post game.
"“Nothing is guaranteed, but that has to be what we embrace all the time,” Spoelstra said. “So, good. How about next game?”"
Next: Miami Heat Roundtable: Discussing the team's rough start and more
The Miami Heat will head to Minnesota next, to take on the Timberwolves on Friday night.