Though there may be no Boston Celtics in the 2020 NBA Finals, the teams that made it have two former Celtics alumni on their roster, and three of those four played in the Miami Heat’s big win over the Los Angeles Lakers.
We say “big” because it helped keep Los Angeles from drawing even with the Celtics in terms of total titles won for just a little longer, maybe even permanently.
While it is still unlikely that the Heat will catch the Lakers, who they now trail two games to one, it is at least looking like a competitive series going forward.
Boston Celtics alumni in the 2020 NBA Finals: Game 2 results https://t.co/XBeLWHv2zO
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) October 3, 2020
Of course, it took 40 points from wing Jimmy Butler to secure the victory with Miami down big man Bam Adebayo (neck) and point guard Goran Dragic (foot), both of whom hope to return for the Heat in Game 4.
For the Lakers, the sole Celtics alumnus participating in the Finals had an off game, former Boston guard Avery Bradley sitting out the restart.
The day after a big story on ESPN about the origins of “Playoff Rondo”, ex-Celtic point guard Rajon Rondo looked more like “Way-off Rondo” as he went just 2-of-8 from the field, and 0-of-3 from deep.
He did score four points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 steals in the loss, though.
For the Heat, one-time Boston forward Jae Crowder scored 12 points, 8 boards and an assist in 34 minutes of floor time.
It wasn’t his most efficient night though, hitting just 5-of-12 overall and 2-of-8 from deep.
Former Celtic center Kelly Olynyk had another huge night off of the bench in the win with 17 points, 7 rebounds, an assist and 2 steals in 31 minutes.
The Kamloops, British Columbia native connected on 5-of-9 of his field goal attempts (including 3-of-5 from 3-point range) to help secure the much-needed win for Miami.
