Gabe Vincent delivered a spectacular performance in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals, guiding the Miami Heat to a commanding 128-102 victory over the Boston Celtics on Monday morning at the FTX Arena. With this win, the Heat now lead the series 3-0, edging closer to a spot in the NBA Finals.
Vincent, who has been given the nod as the starting point guard by Head Coach Erik Spoelstra ahead of veteran Kyle Lowry, showcased his skills on the court, tallying a playoffs-high 29 points. The young guard also notched a career-high six three-pointers, shooting at an impressive 66.7% from beyond the arc. Alongside his scoring exploits, Vincent contributed three assists, two rebounds, one steal, and one block.
The Nigerian national team captain, known for his remarkable performances during the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, displayed his long-range shooting prowess with his six three-pointers. Vincent’s offensive firepower was complemented by the contributions of Duncan Robinson, who provided a spark off the bench with 22 points. Robinson sank five of his seven attempts from downtown, further stretching the Celtics’ defense.
Caleb Martin also made a notable impact, contributing 18 points as a reserve player on a night when Jimmy Butler struggled to find his rhythm.
Despite being heavily guarded by the Celtics, Jimmy Butler managed to contribute 16 points, nine rebounds, and six assists. His resilience and ability to make key plays under intense defensive pressure proved crucial to the Heat’s victory. Bam Adebayo chipped in with 13 points, two rebounds, and two assists, adding to the team’s offensive production.
On the other side of the court, the Celtics faced a challenging outing. Jason Tatum, their standout player, mustered a team-high 14 points but struggled to make a significant impact. Grant Williams and Payton Pritchard each had 12 for Boston.
The Celtics now find themselves with a daunting task ahead, trailing the series 0-3, and will need a remarkable turnaround if they are to keep their championship aspirations alive.
The Heat and Celtics will meet again for Game 4 on Wednesday, with Miami looking to complete a series sweep and advance to the NBA Finals.
