By all account, the Miami Heat were supposed to get the shit kicked out of them by the Boston Celtics in Game 2 of their first round series. After all, the Heat were missing Jimmy Butler and were double-digit underdogs after losing by 20 points in Game 1.

However, instead of folding, the Miami Heat, as they’ve done so many times before, somehow found a way to will themselves to a victory, much to the entertainment of the sidelined Butler.

The Heat went nuclear from beyond the arc in Game 2, which was the biggest contributor to their win. They made 23 of 43 (53.5%) attempts from three, which nullified the Celtics’ game plan. Tyler Herro was the man of the hour with 24 points and 14 assists. He made 7 of 13 shots, including 6 of 11 from deep. 

Caleb Martin was scorching from three as well as he finished with 21 points while making 5 of 6 three-point attempts. Martin was also a pest towards the much bigger Kristaps Porzingis for much of the game.

Their only available All-Star, Bam Adebayo, also had a solid game with 21 points and 10 rebounds along with 9 of 13 made shots. 

The Celtics will be deeply unhappy with the defeat, especially considering how superior they are to the Heat talen-wise. Their three-ball failed them in Game 2 as they made 12 of 32 attempts, which negated a combined 61 points from Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.

While Butler may not be back anytime soon, or potentially even in this series, the Heat’s grittiness endures without their leader. There’s just something about the mentality that is ingrained in Miami players that is hard to match, even if you were far and away the best team in the regular season. Butler showed a lot of faith in Herro before the game and he was rewarded for it.

Game 3 is going to be hugely important and could swing the series. If the Celtics aren’t able to retake the series lead, doubt may cloud their heads and cause a collapse this series. Props have to go to the Heat, who consistently seem to be able to find a contributor from their roster. I don’t know what Pat Riley feeds them, but it’s clear that Miami are not bowing out of this series easily, if at all.