Miami Heat Stuns Celtics, Breaking Losing Streak with Big Win

MIAMI, Fla. — The Miami Heat ended a grueling 10-game losing streak with an impressive victory over their longtime rivals, the Boston Celtics, on Saturday evening. The Heat, led by All-Stars Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro, secured a 124-103 win at TD Garden, marking a significant turnaround for the team just weeks after their record-low stretch under Coach Erik Spoelstra.

The victory was notable not only for snapping Miami’s lengthy losing skid but also for halting the Celtics’ nine-game winning streak. Prior to this matchup, Boston had dominated the recent series between the two teams, winning 10 of their last 11 contests, with Miami’s last win against the Celtics dating back to the second game of the 2024 postseason.

Despite entering as underdogs, the Heat executed a robust game plan. Adebayo effectively neutralized Boston star Jayson Tatum, who finished with just 16 points on a poor shooting night, hitting only 4 of 17 attempts from the field. “I just tried to make him work for every shot,” Adebayo said. The Heat center added, “It’s always good to get a win against a team that’s had your number.”

In the win, Adebayo showcased versatility, contributing 21 points, six assists, and five rebounds while shooting 9 of 15 from the field. Herro matched his performance with a standout game of his own, posting 25 points, along with nine assists and six rebounds. Remarkably, the Heat had seven players in double figures, including veteran Kyle Anderson, who added 19 points shooting almost 70% from the floor.

The Heat’s success from three-point range played a critical role in the win, as the team shot 47% from beyond the arc. Their recent uptick in long-range shooting has been a focal point for Spoelstra, who emphasized the need for increased three-point volume heading into the season. The Celtics, meanwhile, struggled significantly, recording only 28% from deep in the game.

Historically, the rivalry between the Heat and the Celtics has been heated, especially during the peak of Jimmy Butler‘s era in Miami. As Boston claimed a championship, their recent dominance has shifted the rivalry’s dynamic. However, this win was a reassuring sign for Miami, with Adebayo stating, “We showed that we can compete against one of the elite teams in the league.”

The focus now turns to future matchups, as the Heat continue to seek consistency and build upon this victory. Despite having beaten Boston, the Celtics’ shooting prowess, which includes a league-high average of 48.3 three-point attempts per game at a 37% efficiency rate, poses an ongoing challenge for Miami.

Herro, who has had an exceptional season, has adjusted his shooting approach to focus more on high-quality looks. He is currently averaging 23.9 points, bolstered by a career-high in three-point attempts as he looks to elevate his game further. “It’s all about finding the right shots, and I’ve been working hard on that,” Herro explained.

The Heat have showcased resilience and potential, but they recognize that their performance against the Celtics will need to hold firm against Boston’s anticipated offensive firepower in future scenarios.