Miami Heat Fizzle Out Against Celtics, 93-80; Boston Leads ECF At 3-2

The Boston Celtics continue to prove that when healthy, they're able to outplay the Miami Heat.

Everyone was a-go, including Marcus Smart, and the Celtics proceeded to best the Miami Heat, 93-80, and break the ECF series tie.

Boston now leads the Eastern Conference Finals at 3-2.

Jimmy Butler continued to struggle with carrying the team for a second-straight game. He scored 14 points on 4-of-18 shooting.

Heat big man Bam Adebayo led the team with 18 points but suffered the worst plus/minus (-23) among all players.

Guard Kyle Lowry has yet to find his groove all series, hitting 5-of-23 from the field in his last three contests. He scored 0 points, going 0-of-6 from the field, on Wednesday. Five of those misses were from three.

Two-time All-Star Victor Olapido added to the dry spell from Miami's offense: scoring three points in 15 minutes of action.

With Miami's stars locked down by a vigorous Celtics defense, the rest of the Heat tried to claw back by heaving up three-point attempts. The Heat finished with a collective 7-of-45 from beyond.

Boston's primary players, including Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Marcus Smart and Al Horford, continued to exhibit championship-level execution as a group. Tatum, Brown and Horford combined for 63 points, while Smart's tenacious energy help Boston surge in the third quarter. Boston outscored Miami, 32-16.

As Miami and coach Erik Spoelstra expect to show out in Game 6 to keep their season alive, Wednesday's performance showcased a worn-down Heat squad at this point in the postseason.

Tatum and the Celtics welcome the Heat to TD Garden for a potential elimination game that could send Boston to their first NBA Finals appearance since 2010-11.

Follow along on Twitter: @AlejandroAveela

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Alejandro Avila lives in Southern California and previously covered news for the LA Football Network. Jeopardy expert and grumpy sports fan. Known for having watched every movie and constant craving for dessert. @alejandroaveela (on X)