“We wanted it more” - Heat’s rookie Jaime Jaquez Jr. doesn’t sugarcoat pulling off massive upset vs Celtics
The Miami Heat achieved a historic milestone in Wednesday night's Game 2 playoff victory against the Boston Celtics. They set a franchise record by sinking 23 3-pointers. This impressive feat played a pivotal role in their 111-101 triumph.
Jaime Jaquez Jr. extended Miami's impressive 3-point shooting performance by sinking their 21st triple of the game with 5:37 remaining in the fourth quarter. In doing so, he established a new record. Overall, Miami concluded the game with an impressive 23 of 43 shooting from beyond the arc.
Following the game, Jaquez Jr. elaborated on how they overcame the heavy favorite, Boston Celtics, in Game 2:
"I think the focus was to score more points & they score less. That's kinda what it was. We wanted it more, took a lot of pride in our matchups. It came down to toughness & will to win."
Miami's outstanding performance shattered their previous franchise record of 20 3-pointers, achieved on May 22, 2021, against Milwaukee. However, they fell just one short of tying the all-time Heat record of 24 3-pointers in any game set on December 14, 2022, against Oklahoma City.
Tyler Herro led Miami's barrage from beyond the arc with six 3-pointers. Next in line was Caleb Martin, with five.
How Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Miami Heat responded to Boston Celtics after Game 1 loss
The Heat defied the odds as 14.5-point underdogs. They staged a remarkable comeback to level the series following a disappointing performance in Game 1 on Sunday.
The team grappled with shooting woes in the previous game, converting only 12 of 37 attempts from beyond the arc. Additionally, they were outrebounded 44-34 by the Celtics.
In Game 1, the Heat faced a daunting task without key players Jimmy Butler (knee) and Terry Rozier (neck). They struggled initially, failing to secure a lead throughout the contest. They were trailing by as many as 34 points at one point before narrowing the final deficit to 20 points by the end of the game.
With a two-day break between games, the Heat utilized the time to craft a strategic game plan for Wednesday's matchup. Additionally, part of the challenge involved mentally regrouping the team and moving past the disappointment of Game 1. The players responded admirably to this challenge, demonstrating resilience and determination in their performance.
Six Heat players contributed with at least two triples each, showcasing the team's depth and shooting prowess.