The Miami Heat made nine three-pointers in Game 4. Derrick White made eight by himself.
White started hot and closed hot for the Boston Celtics, who won 102-88 over the ice-cold Miami Heat. Miami set a franchise record with 23 three-pointers in their Game 2 win. Monday, their bench shot 1-for-10. Desperate for any outside shooting threats, they even gave 22 minutes to 35-year-old Patty Mills, who went 1-for-4.
The Celtics got important minutes off the bench from an even old player, Al Horford, who stepped in to play 35 minutes after Kristaps Porzingis suffered an injury. Horford had seven points and eight rebounds, and the Celtics outscored the Heat by 15 minutes when he was on the court. He’s likely to join the starting lineup in Game 5.
The other area where White nearly matched the Heat was in blocked shots. He blocked three shots, as did Miami’s entire team.
It was another huge game in Miami for White, who won Game 6 of the conference finals last season with a miracle rebound and bucket.
Bam Adebayo’s 25 points and 17 rebounds were overshadowed by a controversial play in the fourth quarter. Jayson Tatum shot after the whistle and Adebayo contested the dead ball shot. But he also stepped in and pushed Tatum, who landed on Adebayo’s foot and came up limping.
Now the Celtics can put the Heat away with a win back in Boston in Game 5.