Celtics Secure Playoff Spot After Defeating Heat 103-91

BOSTON — The Boston Celtics clinched a playoff spot for the 11th consecutive season after defeating the Miami Heat 103-91 on Friday night at the Kaseya Center. The win, coupled with the Atlanta Hawks‘ loss to the Los Angeles Clippers, secured a top-six seed for the Celtics, who are now 48-19 overall.

Despite missing two key starters, Jaylen Brown (knee) and Jayson Tatum (knee), the Celtics showcased their depth, with Jrue Holiday leading the charge with a season-high 25 points. Derrick White added 18 points, including 12 in the crucial fourth quarter, to help seal the victory.

“We have a lot of guys who can step up when needed,” said Holiday. “Tonight was my night, but it’s always a team effort.”

The Celtics built an early lead, going up by 14 points in the first quarter. However, the Heat fought back, utilizing a tighter defense to come within reach during the middle frames. Ultimately, it was Boston’s defense and White’s critical scoring bursts that enabled them to pull away in the final quarter, outscoring Miami 25-14.

Miami, now 29-37, is struggling; this defeat marked their sixth consecutive loss as they navigate a post-Jimmy Butler era. The Celtics’ defense held the Heat to just 25% shooting in the final period.

“We need to figure things out offensively,” said Heat forward Bam Adebayo. “We’ve got to be better late in the game if we want to win.”

As the regular season approaches its conclusion, the Celtics have a favorable schedule ahead, with 13 of their 16 remaining games against teams currently below .500. Coach Joe Mazzulla indicated that resting players could be an option in the coming weeks. “We’re focused on building stamina and preparing for the playoffs,” Mazzulla said.

The Celtics currently sit in the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference, comfortably ahead of the New York Knicks while being eight games behind the league-leading Cleveland Cavaliers. With a significant cushion and the tiebreaker secured against New York, Boston is in an advantageous position to manage their players’ time on the court.

This win not only extended the Celtics’ dominance over the Heat — they’ve now defeated Miami eight straight times in their home arena — but it also reinforced their position as a powerhouse in the Eastern Conference. Boston’s road record has improved to 25-7 this season, the second-best in the NBA, behind Cleveland.

The two teams will face off again on April 2 at TD Garden, with the possibility of a postseason matchup looming if the Heat can advance through the play-in tournament.

For Boston, the focus is clear. With aspirations for another title high, the Celtics are gearing up for the playoffs with a blend of strategy and veterans’ leadership, all while navigating a few injury concerns.