Heat Vs Celtics Game 3 Live

Heat Push Celtics to the Brink, Take 3-2 Series Lead

Game 3 Highlights and Injury Updates

5 Key Takeaways from Miami's Victory

May 22, 2023 at 7:40 AM ET

The Miami Heat are now one win away from reaching the NBA Finals after defeating the Boston Celtics 108-103 in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals on Sunday night. Here are five key takeaways from Miami's victory:

1. Jimmy Butler's Dominance: Butler was unstoppable once again, leading the Heat with 30 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists. He controlled the pace of the game and made several key plays down the stretch.
2. Adebayo's Impact on Defense: Bam Adebayo was a defensive force for the Heat, anchoring their defense and making life difficult for Celtics star Jayson Tatum. Adebayo's presence in the paint helped Miami limit Tatum to just 18 points.
3. Celtics' Struggles from Outside: The Celtics struggled to make shots from three-point range, going just 10-of-37 (27.0%) from deep. Their inability to hit open shots allowed the Heat to stay in the game.
4. Injury Update: Celtics star Jaylen Brown left the game late in the fourth quarter with an apparent ankle injury. The severity of the injury is still unknown, but it could be a major blow to Boston's chances in the series.
5. Series Momentum: With the Heat now holding a 3-2 series lead, the momentum has shifted in their favor. A win in Game 4 on Tuesday would send Miami to the NBA Finals, while a Celtics victory would send the series back to Boston for Game 5.

The Miami Heat will return home for Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Boston Celtics on Tuesday night. Tip-off is scheduled for 8:30 PM ET.