BOSTON _ Another back-to-back set, another Heat loss.
Just 24 hours after Tuesday's dramatic overtime win in Toronto, the Heat (15-6) fell to the Celtics 112-93 on Wednesday at TD Garden to close its three-game trip. Miami posted a 2-1 record on the trip, with quality wins over the Nets and Raptors.
The Heat has played four back-to-backs so far, and all four have resulted in losses on the second night _ Oct. 27 loss vs. Timberwolves, Nov. 8 loss vs. Lakers, Nov. 23 loss vs. 76ers and Wednesday's loss vs. Celtics. All four have also come on the road.
It started well for the Heat, which led by as many as 11 points early in the second quarter. But the Celtics (15-5) responded by closing the period on a 28-9 run to enter halftime with a 52-44 advantage.
The Heat never led in the second half.
Jimmy Butler led Miami with a season-high 37 points and tied a career-high with six made threes. He also finished with six rebounds and four assists.
The Celtics outscored the Heat 26-11 at the free-throw line, with Boston attempting 32 free throws to 17 free throws for the Heat.
Jaylen Brown and Kemba Walker combined to score 59 points for the Celtics.
The Heat was without head coach Erik Spoelstra, who returned to Miami on Wednesday for the birth of his second son. Assistant coach Dan Craig filled in for Spoelstra against the Celtics.
Next up for the Heat is a four-game homestand that begins Friday against the Wizards. With 13 of Miami's first 21 games coming on the road, the upcoming homestand will mark the Heat's longest stretch at AmericanAirlines Arena up to this point of the season.
