The Boston Celtics finally completed what they couldn’t do in Game 1 against the Miami Heat. Behind another Jayson Tatum first-half explosion and Marcus Smart’s impact on both ends, Boston ran Miami off the floor.
The Celtics took the Heat’s early punch, trailing by 10 midway through the first quarter before unleashing a crippling 60-21 eruption the rest of the way.
Miami had no answer to Boston’s shooting barrage and stifling defense that it looked over after 24 minutes with the Green Machine holding a commanding 70-45 lead.

It didn’t take long for stunned Miami Heat fans and delirious Celtics supporters to toss their colorful thoughts into the one-sided action:
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“F**k Tyler Herro.”
The reigning Sixth Man of the Year got plenty of slander as he barely got anything going. Tyler Herro finished with 11 points, a rebound and three assists. Boston’s game plan centered on mercilessly targeting the shooting guard and effectively taking him out of the game.
The Boston Celtics’ fiery first half was again fueled by Jayson Tatum’s impeccable display, scoring 20 points on 7-10 shooting. Jaylen Brown was another catalyst with 15 points, missing only two of his seven shots, including a sizzling 3-4 barrage from three-point range.
Unlike Game 1 where they only had an eight-point lead, the Celtics obliterated the Miami Heat with a 25-point edge. Marcus Smart ended the first half with seven points, five rebounds and seven assists. He had a game-high +26 net rating and completely controlled the game on both ends of the floor.
Like in Game 1, the Miami Heat tried to bounce back with their best effort in the third quarter.
Unlike their first meeting, though, the Celtics didn’t cave in and match the Heat point for point. When Erik Spoelstra’s charges couldn’t make a dent, Boston was on its way to stealing home-court advantage.
Marcus Smart shows why he’s the heart and soul of the Boston Celtics
![Marcus Smart's presence in Game 2 made all the difference for the Boston Celtics. [Photo: CelticsBlog]](https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2022/05/2c6f1-16530197473909-1920.jpg?w=190 190w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2022/05/2c6f1-16530197473909-1920.jpg?w=720 720w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2022/05/2c6f1-16530197473909-1920.jpg?w=640 640w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2022/05/2c6f1-16530197473909-1920.jpg?w=1045 1045w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2022/05/2c6f1-16530197473909-1920.jpg?w=1200 1200w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2022/05/2c6f1-16530197473909-1920.jpg?w=1460 1460w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2022/05/2c6f1-16530197473909-1920.jpg?w=1600 1600w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2022/05/2c6f1-16530197473909-1920.jpg 1920w)
Marcus Smart’s numerous doubters have been awfully quiet after the Defensive Player of the Year’s best game of the season, if not his career.
He helped limit Jimmy Butler and methodically directed the Boston Celtics' offense. Smart finished with 24 points, nine rebounds, 12 assists and three steals.
The 27-year-old point guard gave the Celtics the kind of maturity and basketball savvy that they sorely lacked in Game 1. He showed poise on offense and remarkable grit against the bull-strong and versatile Jimmy Butler on defense.
The Boston Celtics’ decision to give Marcus Smart the key to the offense is looking more and more like one of their best decisions in years. They’ll need him to be at his best to finally get over the hump and come out of the East this year.
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