Game Recap
Anfernee Simons scored 18 of his season-high 39 points in the fourth quarter, Jaylen Brown added 27 and the Boston Celtics trailed most of the way before rallying to beat the Miami Heat 119-114 on Thursday night.
Team Performance
Sam Hauser added 17 points for the Celtics, who outscored Miami 36-21 in the fourth quarter and won after facing as much as a 19-point deficit. It was their second-biggest comeback win of the season, after coming from 20 down to beat Indiana on Dec. 22.
Notable Players
Simons had the second highest-scoring game for a reserve this season — Utah’s Brice Sensabaugh had 43 on Wednesday night in a loss to Chicago — and became the fourth Celtics player in the last 50 years to score at least 39 off the bench. The others: Larry Bird, Todd Day and Payton Pritchard. Norman Powell scored 26 points for Miami, which got 22 points apiece from Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro. Andrew Wiggins added 16 for the Heat.
Turning Point
Simons had 11 consecutive Boston points in the fourth quarter to chip away at what was left of the Miami edge, and then Hauser got an open 3-pointer with 5:21 left to give the Celtics their first lead since the opening minute of the game. The lead changed hands twice more, before Brown’s 3-pointer with 4:05 remaining put Boston on top for good.
Early Struggles
Miami started the game on a 28-9 run, putting the Celtics in a most unusual early position. That 19-point margin — only about seven minutes into the game — matched the biggest first-quarter deficit the Celtics faced in a 304-game span since trailing Indiana by 20 early on in a game on Dec. 21, 2022. Boston also trailed Milwaukee by 19 in the first quarter on April 9, 2024.
Injuries and Upcoming Games
The Heat played without starting point guard Davion Mitchell (left shoulder contusion) and sixth man Jaime Jaquez Jr. (left knee soreness).
Up next
Celtics: At Atlanta on Saturday night.
Heat: Host Oklahoma City on Saturday night.
Conclusion
The Boston Celtics’ comeback win over the Miami Heat was a thrilling game that saw Anfernee Simons score a season-high 39 points off the bench. The team’s ability to overcome a 19-point deficit and outscore the Heat in the fourth quarter was a testament to their resilience and determination.
FAQs
Q: Who was the top scorer for the Boston Celtics in the game?
A: Anfernee Simons scored a season-high 39 points off the bench.
Q: What was the biggest comeback win of the season for the Celtics?
A: The Celtics came from 20 down to beat Indiana on Dec. 22.
Q: Who did the Heat play without due to injuries?
A: The Heat played without starting point guard Davion Mitchell (left shoulder contusion) and sixth man Jaime Jaquez Jr. (left knee soreness).
Q: What is the next game for the Celtics and Heat?
A: The Celtics will play at Atlanta on Saturday night, while the Heat will host Oklahoma City on Saturday night.
Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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