Boston Secures Top-Six Seed with 103-91 Win Over Heat
By Tom Westerholm
March 14, 2025
The Boston Celtics clinched a top-six seed in the Eastern Conference on Friday, bouncing back from Wednesday’s loss with a 103-91 victory over the Miami Heat. Jayson Tatum led the team in scoring, while Derrick White stepped up late in the fourth quarter to help secure the win.
Key Takeaways
Jayson Tatum Does Just Enough
Tatum has proven time and time again that he is capable of MVP-level performances. However, Friday’s game was more of a grind for the Celtics’ star.
On a tough shooting night, Tatum finished with 28 points while shooting 5-for-12 from three-point range and a perfect 7-for-7 from the free-throw line. He also recorded an even assist-to-turnover ratio, struggling in a three-minute stretch early in the second half when Miami briefly took a five-point lead.
Despite not being at his most dominant, Tatum still led the team in scoring and finished with a +10 plus/minus, showing that even his less efficient performances contribute to winning basketball. With Boston eyeing a return to the Eastern Conference Finals, steady contributions like this are more than enough during the regular season.
Derrick White Delivers in the Clutch
For most of the game, White struggled offensively, missing seven straight shots after making two of his first three attempts. However, as he has done throughout the season, he came alive in the fourth quarter.
White started the final period with a key three-pointer to give Boston the lead, followed by a deep NBA-listed “25-footer” that was clearly six or seven feet beyond that. Later, he hit another huge three-pointer with four minutes remaining, pushing Boston’s lead to seven as Miami faltered.
NBC Sports Boston’s Drew Carter called White “the best clutch three-point shooter in the NBA,” and the numbers back it up. White is now shooting a remarkable 60.9% (14-for-23) from deep in clutch situations this season. He finished the night with 12 of his 18 points in the fourth quarter, proving once again why he’s an essential part of the Celtics’ late-game strategy.
Jrue Holiday Sets the Tone Early
Boston’s strong start was powered by Jrue Holiday, who scored 16 of his 25 points in the first half, leading all scorers at the break. He was particularly effective from deep, knocking down four three-pointers in the first two quarters.
While his scoring slowed in the second half, Holiday still added nine points in the fourth and finished an efficient 10-for-15 from the field. When he is hitting threes, Holiday becomes an underrated offensive weapon, forcing defenders to close out on him—often leading to strong drives to the rim, where he used his strength to outmuscle defenders like Tyler Herro.
Head coach Joe Mazzulla acknowledged Holiday’s impact: “It’s overlooked because of the type of teammate he is. But he made some big-time plays, and we’re really grateful to have him.”
Boston Tests Out Double-Big Lineups
With Kristaps Porzingis still out due to an illness that has sidelined him for eight of the last nine games, the Celtics experimented with double-big lineups.
They started the game with Al Horford and Luke Kornet, but in the fourth quarter, Neemias Queta played an extended stretch. Queta logged the entire fourth quarter and finished +9 in the box score despite scoring just two points. His impact came on the boards, grabbing eight rebounds while helping Boston hold Miami to just 14 fourth-quarter points.
Mazzulla explained the decision: “Neemi does an amazing job of changing coverages. He can switch, protect the rim, and guard shooters. You saw his versatility tonight.”
As the Celtics approach the postseason, don’t be surprised if they continue testing different frontcourt combinations for potential playoff matchups.
Securing a Top-Six Seed
With this victory, the Celtics officially clinched a top-six seed in the Eastern Conference, guaranteeing they will not have to go through the Play-In Tournament.
Jayson Tatum on Oshae Brissett’s New Opportunity
Former Celtic Oshae Brissett signed a 10-day contract with the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday and made an immediate impact, scoring 14 points on 5-for-8 shooting. His contributions also helped the Sixers secure a crucial loss against the Pacers, keeping them in the race for a top draft pick.
Tatum expressed happiness for his former teammate: “That’s my brother. Happy for him. He deserves to be in the league, and even if it’s in Philly, he’ll always be my guy.”
Looking Ahead: A Tough Back-to-Back
The Celtics don’t have much time to rest, as they travel to Brooklyn for a Saturday evening matchup against the Nets—their third game in four nights. While the Nets are in full rebuild mode, the quick turnaround presents a physical challenge for Boston.
Tip-off is set for 6 p.m. EST, less than 24 hours after their win in Miami.