Heat vs. Celtics: Play-by-play, highlights and reactions

The Miami Heat (48-28) play against the Boston Celtics (29-29) at TD Garden Game Time: 7:30 PM EDT on Wednesday March 30, 2022 Miami Heat 22, Boston Celtics 22 (Q1 01:25) What’s the buzz on Twitter? Anthony Chiang @ Anthony_Chiang Heat again going …

The Miami Heat (48-28) play against the Boston Celtics (29-29) at TD Garden

Game Time: 7:30 PM EDT on Wednesday March 30, 2022

Miami Heat 22, Boston Celtics 22 (Q1 01:25)

What’s the buzz on Twitter?

Anthony Chiang @Anthony_Chiang
Heat again going with a four-man bench rotation of Herro, Dedmon, Vincent and Robinson.
Jimmy Butler is playing as the four right now, too, in a lineup with Herro, Vincent, Robinson and Dedmon. – 8:09 PM
Miami Heat @MiamiHEAT
that’s free safety Max Strus to you pic.twitter.com/nwWQVpH55b8:08 PM

Ira Winderman @IraHeatBeat
Duncan Robinson about to enter. – 8:06 PM
Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
12 of Boston’s first 16 shots have been threes.
6-of-12 from deep.
1-of-4 from inside the arc. – 8:05 PM
Mark Murphy @Murf56
Celtics off to a 6-12 start from three, barely enough for a tie, Miami shooting 56.3% – 8:03 PM
Anthony Chiang @Anthony_Chiang
The Celtics are 6 of 12 on threes and 1 of 4 on twos. Heat and Celtics tied, 22-22. – 8:02 PM
Ira Winderman @IraHeatBeat
Gabe Vincent next, following Herro and Dedmon off bench. – 8:01 PM
A. Sherrod Blakely @ASherrodblakely
Great sequence by @Marcus Smart. First, he hits the 3-ball, then forces the ball out of bounds off Tyler Herro. – 8:00 PM
Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
Lowry is a lot like Smart when a big goes against him in the post. It’s like trying to post up a fire hydrant. – 8:00 PM
Anthony Chiang @Anthony_Chiang
I think Kyle Lowry is the best post defender on the team. – 7:59 PM
Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
Ime Udoka sticks with his usual substitution pattern, with a twist: Theis on, Horford stayed.
Tatum out for White, as per usual.
Grant and Tatum will likely come back in for Horford and Brown before Q1 ends. – 7:59 PM
Brady Hawk @BradyHawk305
Tyler Herro enters for Jimmy Butler again
Immediate open lane for Bam on the roll
The exact same play last game when he came in – 7:59 PM
Bobby Marks @BobbyMarks42
Derrick White has now played in 70 games and will receive a $500K bonus.
His cap hit in 2022-23 will get adjusted to $16,892,857.
The Celtics are now $1.75M below the luxury tax. – 7:58 PM
Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
Boston is trying to go at Strus in the halfcourt, but Miami is doing a good job bringing helping and scramming him out mismatches. – 7:57 PM
Boston Celtics @celtics
We’re aiming to remain flexible with our lineups while Rob Williams works his way back from surgery.
Tune in now to @NBCSBoston 📺 pic.twitter.com/3aaOamcZIg7:57 PM

A. Sherrod Blakely @ASherrodblakely
Jaylen Brown in his scoring bag, has 11 of Boston’s first 14 points. – 7:57 PM
Ira Winderman @IraHeatBeat
Tyler Herro about to enter. – 7:57 PM
Anthony Chiang @Anthony_Chiang
The Celtics have already attempted eight threes in the first five minutes. – 7:56 PM
Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
11 points for Jaylen Brown in 4.5 minutes. – 7:56 PM
Brian Robb @BrianTRobb
Jaylen Brown 11, Heat 10 – 7:55 PM
Jared Weiss @JaredWeissNBA
Been a while since the Celtics have seen a playoff defense and Miami’s physicality is overwhelming them. Their offense hasn’t looked this uncomfortable in a while. – 7:54 PM
Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
I was going to be curious to see how the “Roamer Rob” defense would have worked. Not really a good matchup to roam off of on Miami. My guess is the Celtics might have gone more straight up, while still switching everything. – 7:53 PM
Miami Heat @MiamiHEAT
and that’s a deeep triple for Kyle wait what just happened pic.twitter.com/WlN2jxtBUN7:52 PM

Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
That ball movement was good, but the Celtics passed up some good shots looking for a perfect on. Good defense by Miami to rotate and recover off multiple passes too. – 7:51 PM
A. Sherrod Blakely @ASherrodblakely
WOW! #Celtics Head coach Ime Udoka channeling his inner-Popovich, calling a time-out 68 seconds into the game. pic.twitter.com/jCjxgmnWq17:49 PM
Brady Hawk @BradyHawk305
Should be said that all 3 Celtics attempts have been open triples
They only hit 1, but Miami needs to clean that up – 7:49 PM
Boston Celtics @celtics
We’re proud to announce with @NBCSBoston that @Robert Williams is the second annual Tommy Award winner in honor of his hustle, effort, and pride throughout the season. pic.twitter.com/qf4xTAVoTg7:48 PM

Anthony Chiang @Anthony_Chiang
An open Adebayo layup and a clean Strus three-point look, and Boston calls timeout just 1:08 into the game. – 7:48 PM
Mark Murphy @Murf56
A pair of unguarded Miami hoops from Bam Adebayo and Max Strus, and Ime Udoka calls his first timeout 1:08 into the game. – 7:48 PM
Adam Himmelsbach @AdamHimmelsbach
Former Celtics great Max Strus hits a 3 and Ime Udoka calls a timeout 68 seconds into the game. – 7:47 PM
John Karalis @John_Karalis
Ime Udoka calls a timeout 68 seconds into the game after giving up two buckets to the Heat – 7:47 PM
Jared Weiss @JaredWeissNBA
Ime Udoka calls timeout after the Celtics start the game out with two blown defensive possessions – 7:47 PM
Gina Mizell @ginamizell
Tapping in for Celtics-Heat 👀
(On the TV obviously because I’m in Detroit) – 7:47 PM
Christopher Hine @ChristopherHine
Wolves seem to have a little more pep in their step tonight than their start against Boston. – 7:46 PM
Mark Murphy @Murf56
Robert Williams receives the second annual Tommy Award on Tommy Heinsohn night. Marcus Smart, in augural winner, accepts on the healing Timelord’s behalf. – 7:45 PM
Micah Adams @MicahAdams13
If a Celtic should win Defensive Player of the Year, it should be Robert Williams.
Marcus Smart is great.
His individual impact is nowhere remotely near Timelord. pic.twitter.com/Msrplh0Sdz7:44 PM

Jared Weiss @JaredWeissNBA
Pretty on brand that Marcus Smart is out there to accept Rob Williams’ Tommy Award for the season while Rob is recovering from knee surgery, since Rob already said he wants Smart to win DPOY. – 7:44 PM
Ira Winderman @IraHeatBeat
With tonight’s start, Jimmy Butler ties Jason Williams for 24th on the Heat all-time list. – 7:43 PM
Miami Heat @MiamiHEAT
minds right, goal in sight
@Miami Heat // @therabody pic.twitter.com/vqIOMP1NcY7:39 PM

Ira Winderman @IraHeatBeat
Heat can either be first (with win) or third (with loss) after tonight’s game vs. Celtics. – 7:26 PM
Miami Heat @MiamiHEAT
Count how many 3s Kyle made in a row pic.twitter.com/Asaz1qjCvk7:17 PM

Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
Celtics starters tonight:
Al Horford
Grant Williams
Jayson Tatum
Jaylen Brown
Marcus Smart
Heat starters:
Bam Adebayo
PJ Tucker
Jimmy Butler
Max Strus
Kyle Lowry – 7:16 PM
Sean Grande @SeanGrandePBP
Heat at Celtics – TD Garden – March 30, 2022 – Starting Lineups
Boston – Smart, Brown, Tatum, G. Williams, Horford
Miami – Kyle Lowry, Max Strus, Jimmy Butler, PJ Tucker, Bam Adebayo
OUT: Boston: ROB Williams Miami: Caleb Martin pic.twitter.com/DSVWQdJvhb7:15 PM

Anthony Chiang @Anthony_Chiang
Heat again starting Max Strus in place of Duncan Robinson. Second straight game for this group. – 7:09 PM
Ira Winderman @IraHeatBeat
The Max Strus Experience continues for the Heat, again starting alongside Bam Adebayo, Jimmy Butler, Kyle Lowry and P.J. Tucker. – 7:06 PM
Wes Goldberg @wcgoldberg
Max Strus getting the start again for the Heat. – 7:03 PM
Miami Heat @MiamiHEAT
First 5️⃣ on the floor ⤵️
Starting 5 // @DoorDash pic.twitter.com/k3e1BkGyn17:03 PM

Boston Celtics @celtics
Ime Udoka shares some details on Rob Williams’ surgical procedure, as well as a promising outlook on his projected recovery time.
nba.com/celtics/news/p…6:46 PM
Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
Duncan Robinson and Gabe Vincent are both available to play for Miami tonight. Caleb Martin remains out, per *Erik* Spoelstra. – 6:38 PM
Miami Heat @MiamiHEAT
There’s a lot on the line for us tonight in Boston 👀 and a few other NBA cities
See what you need to keep your eye on, and who’s in/out for both teams ⬇️ gohe.at/3iRfS6J6:37 PM
Ira Winderman @IraHeatBeat
Per Celtics:
Jaylen Brown – AVAILABLE
Jayson Tatum – AVAILABLE – 6:34 PM
Anthony Chiang @Anthony_Chiang
Could more Jimmy Butler threes be a good thing for the Heat? Players are pushing for Butler to take them if he’s open miamiherald.com/sports/nba/mia… Also, Dwyane Wade’s thoughts on the Heat and more – 6:32 PM
Anthony Chiang @Anthony_Chiang
As expected, Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum are both available tonight for Celtics vs. Heat. – 6:28 PM
Boston Celtics @celtics
#NEBHInjuryReport update:
Jaylen Brown – AVAILABLE
Jayson Tatum – AVAILABLE – 6:27 PM
Gary Washburn @GwashburnGlobe
Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown WILL play tonight for #Celtics6:23 PM
Jay King @ByJayKing
Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown are officially available, per the Celtics. – 6:22 PM
Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum are both available to play tonight vs the Miami Heat, per the Celtics. – 6:22 PM
Ira Winderman @IraHeatBeat
Erik Spoelstra on Caleb Martin (calf): “We literally are protecting him from himself. He’s demanding to get back to play out there, and we just want to make sure that when he does come back, that it’s not just for one game and it’s sore.” Heat next play Saturday in Chicago. – 6:19 PM
Anthony Chiang @Anthony_Chiang
Spoelstra on Caleb Martin’s calf contusion: “He just was kicked in the calf. We literally are protecting him from himself. … I think these extra couple of days will really help him.” – 6:19 PM
Jay King @ByJayKing
Sounds like Robert Williams won’t waste any time before beginning his rehab. Udoka: “He’ll hit the ground running pretty much tomorrow and try to get some two-a-day work in and try to ramp it up from there.” – 6:17 PM
John Karalis @John_Karalis
Robert Williams will begin his rehab tomorrow. There’s no extended rest period with this surgery. Ime: “try to get some two-a-day work in and try to ramp it up from there. Like I said, the surgery went well and he has the best-case scenario we could be looking for. – 6:15 PM
Gary Washburn @GwashburnGlobe
Udoka said because of the location of Williams’ tear, that the #Celtics medical team said the partial meniscectomy would be best or the short-term surgery and not the complete repair of the meniscus. – 6:13 PM
Sirius XM NBA @SiriusXMNBA
The Miami Heat go up against the Celtics tonight on NBA Radio!
Longtime Heat coach @RonaldRothstein tells @Rick Kamla and @ReggieTheus
why he isn’t worried about last week’s issues #HEATCulture pic.twitter.com/4SKtahVj7i6:11 PM

Miami Heat @MiamiHEAT
#MIAvsBOS INJURY UPDATE: Caleb Martin (Achilles) has been ruled out of tonight’s game vs the Celtics.
Duncan Robinson (non covid illness) and Gabe Vincent (toe) will be available to play. – 6:11 PM
Shandel Richardson @ShandelRich
The history of the Heat and analytics with Pat Riley #miamiheat si.com/nba/heat/miami…6:03 PM
Chris Forsberg @ChrisForsberg_
Celtics starting the Jayson Tatum MVP/All-NBA push. pic.twitter.com/QK5dEZ18iH6:03 PM

Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
There were no new questions asked to Ime Udoka about the availability of Boston players to play in Toronto.
Udoka previously said “if healthy, they can all play”. There is reporting today is that Boston declined to answer vax status questions.
A couple of notes to follow.
1/2 – 6:02 PM
Brady Hawk @BradyHawk305
Caleb Martin out tonight for Heat
Gabe Vincent and Duncan Robinson will play – 6:00 PM
Gary Washburn @GwashburnGlobe
Caleb Martin is OUT for the #Heat. Duncan Robinson and Gabe Vincent will play vs. #Celtics5:58 PM
Anthony Chiang @Anthony_Chiang
Caleb Martin (calf contusion) remains out tonight vs. Celtics. Gabe Vincent and Duncan Robinson both available. – 5:58 PM
John Karalis @John_Karalis
Celtics PR push for Jayson Tatum MVP has begun pic.twitter.com/6rV5b08sQS5:58 PM

Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
Greetings from Chicago
Paul George and Robert Covington are not listed on injury report.
Brandon Boston Jr. will be out again due to non-COVID illness.
Long-term injury list down to four: Kawhi Leonard, Norman Powell, Jason Preston, Jay Scrubb (out for season). – 5:58 PM
Ira Winderman @IraHeatBeat
Caleb Martin out again for Heat. Vincent and Robinson cleared to play. – 5:58 PM
Andrew Greif @AndrewGreif
I wondered whether (or when) the Clippers would seek to rest Paul George after his return, to not overload him, but he’s not listed on the injury report and will be available for Wednesday’s game in Chicago.
Brandon Boston is out with a non-covid illness. – 5:57 PM
Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
Ime Udoka confirmed that Robert Williams had his meniscus trimmed based on the recommendations of his doctors. It was the Williams and the doctors’ call, not the Celtics. It was based on where the tear was located, not on Williams returning sooner with a trim vs a repair. – 5:56 PM
Jay King @ByJayKing
Ime Udoka said Robert Williams had a piece of the meniscus removed, rather than repaired, because of where the tear was. Not because it would allow him to return sooner. – 5:54 PM
John Karalis @John_Karalis
Grant Williams starts tonight – 5:51 PM
Anthony Chiang @Anthony_Chiang
The Celtics will start Grant Williams in place of Robert Williams at center tonight vs. Heat. – 5:51 PM
Ira Winderman @IraHeatBeat
Grant Williams to start up front for Celtics tonight with Robert Williams out. Clearly best available Williams. – 5:51 PM
Jared Weiss @JaredWeissNBA
Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum are probable but will test their knees out pregame. Grant Williams will start next to Al Horford after Rob Williams was ruled out 4-6 weeks for knee surgery. – 5:51 PM
Boston Celtics @celtics
“We’re optimistic because the surgery went as well as it could,” Coach Udoka says of Rob Williams’ successful partial left knee meniscectomy. – 5:51 PM
Chris Forsberg @ChrisForsberg_
Grant Williams shuffles into starting role tonight. – 5:50 PM
Brian Robb @BrianTRobb
Grant Williams will start in place of Rob Williams tonight. – 5:50 PM
Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
Grant Williams will again start in place of Robert Williams, per Ime Udoka. – 5:50 PM
Jay King @ByJayKing
Grant Williams will start tonight in Robert Williams’s place. – 5:50 PM
Jay King @ByJayKing
Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown will test out their issues before the game, but Ime Udoka is under the assumption both players will play. – 5:50 PM
Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
Ime Udoka said Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum are likely to play tonight, but they will both test it pregame to be sure. – 5:50 PM
John Karalis @John_Karalis
Ime Udoka says Robert Williams surgery went as well as it possibly could have – 5:49 PM
Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
Ime Udoka on Robert Williams and optimism he can be back in 4-6 weeks: “There’s optimism because the surgery went as well as possible. He’ll hit the ground running with two-a-day work tomorrow. It’s the best-case scenario, given the injury.” – 5:48 PM
Tim Bontemps @TimBontemps
New ESPN story: Asked in the past 24 hours if their teams are fully vaccinated, the Heat and Bucks said they were. The Celtics and 76ers declined to do so – meaning they could be missing players for road games in a possible first round series with Toronto. espn.com/nba/story/_/id…5:03 PM
Boston Celtics @celtics
As part of Tommy Night, all fans attending tonight’s game will receive this exclusive cheer card on their seats thanks to @NBCSBoston. pic.twitter.com/LJC8RSEb9f4:45 PM

Ira Winderman @IraHeatBeat
From earlier — Heat icon Dwyane Wade fired off text after Jimmy Butler’s Spo spat, ‘I have been in that’ sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-h…4:29 PM
Ira Winderman @IraHeatBeat
From earlier — ASK IRA: Do Heat have greater concerns than Duncan Robinson or Max Strus? sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-h…4:29 PM
Anthony Chiang @Anthony_Chiang
Are more Jimmy Butler threes coming? Heat teammates wouldn’t mind seeing Butler take more outside shots miamiherald.com/sports/nba/mia… Herro: “Jimmy can shoot. People don’t think he can shoot. The numbers I don’t think explain how good of a shooter he is.” – 3:33 PM
Bill Simmons @BillSimmons
If Rob Williams is back in 4-6 weeks, the 2022 Celts are alive! Me + @Chris Mannix broke down the With Rob Celts and the Without Rob Celts on my latest BS pod.
youtu.be/YUdz5Ki0zjw3:24 PM
Boston Celtics @celtics
Tonight we’re celebrating Mr. Celtic ☘️ pic.twitter.com/GEQMqPTqWX3:14 PM

Shandel Richardson @ShandelRich
A look back at what it took for the Heat to land Pat Riley #miamiheat si.com/nba/heat/miami…3:04 PM
Detroit Pistons @DetroitPistons
Yo #Pistons fans!
🔥🔥 Tap in with our latest #WallpaperWednesday and update your 📱 with some @MotorCityCruise HEAT! 🔥🔥
#StartYourEngines | #CruisePlayoffs pic.twitter.com/UVw8zEtPdq3:00 PM

A. Sherrod Blakely @ASherrodblakely
Can the Celtics Survive Without Robert Williams? | A List Podcast w/ @A. Sherrod Blakely, @Gary Washburn & @KwaniALunis | Powered by @betonline_ag (USE Code CLNS50) twitter.com/i/broadcasts/1…3:00 PM
Chris Kirschner @ChrisKirschner
Some All-NBA ballot stuff:
DeMar DeRozan eligible at forward and guard
Luka Doncic eligible at forward and guard
Jayson Tatum eligible at forward and guard
LeBron eligible at forward and guard
Jokic/Embiid eligible at forward and center – 2:50 PM
Tim Reynolds @ByTimReynolds
Another quick day for Pegula, who makes Miami Open semis (from @AP) apnews.com/article/1ae6c2…2:32 PM
Jared Weiss @JaredWeissNBA
Celtics’ Grant Williams is one of the finalists for the NBA’s Twyman-Stokes teammate of the year award pic.twitter.com/CP33bOGH1x2:01 PM