If you woke up this morning frantically Googling what is the celtics score, you probably missed one of the wildest regular-season games in recent memory. The Boston Celtics just pulled off a heist in Miami. They didn't just win; they snatched the soul out of the Kaseya Center. After trailing by as many as 19 points in the first quarter, Boston roared back to beat the Heat 119-114 on Thursday night.
It was ugly early. Like, "turn off the TV and go to bed" ugly.
The Heat started the game on a blistering 28-9 run. Erik Spoelstra’s squad looked like they couldn't miss, while the Celtics looked like they were still stuck in Miami traffic. But that’s the thing about this 2025-26 roster—they have a depth that feels almost unfair.
The Anfernee Simons Show and the Final Score
Let’s talk about the man of the hour. While everyone is usually looking for Jaylen Brown's stat line, it was Anfernee Simons who absolutely torched the nets. Coming off the bench, Simons dropped a season-high 39 points.
Honestly, it’s rare to see a reserve take over a game like that. He scored 18 of those points in the fourth quarter alone. At one point, he hit 11 consecutive points for Boston, basically single-handedly erasing the lead Miami had spent three quarters protecting. He finished 13-of-28 from the field and a lethal 7-of-16 from deep.
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Here is how the scoring broke down by the numbers:
The final was Boston 119, Miami 114.
Boston outscored Miami 36-21 in the fourth quarter.
Jaylen Brown chipped in 27 points, though he struggled a bit with his efficiency, going 9-of-24.
Sam Hauser was the unsung hero with 17 points, including the go-ahead three-pointer with about five minutes left.
Why the Celtics Score Matters for the Standings
Winning in Miami is never just "another game." It’s a statement. This victory pushed the Celtics to a 25-15 record, keeping them neck-and-neck with the New York Knicks for the top spot in the Atlantic Division.
The Eastern Conference is a bloodbath this year. The Detroit Pistons are surprisingly sitting at the top of the conference with 29 wins, which sounds like a fever dream but is very much the reality of January 2026. Boston is currently sitting in the 2nd seed, just a few games back from the lead.
Missing Jayson Tatum is obviously the elephant in the room. When you're looking for the score and don't see his name in the box score, it’s easy to panic. But Joe Mazzulla has this team playing a system where the "next man up" philosophy isn't just a cliché.
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Key Team Leaders from the Miami Game
- Anfernee Simons: 39 PTS, 4 AST, 7 3PM
- Jaylen Brown: 27 PTS, 7 REB, 7-7 FT
- Sam Hauser: 17 PTS, 3 REB, 3 3PM
- Neemias Queta: 9 PTS, 9 REB (Providing much-needed grit inside)
- Derrick White: 8 PTS, 6 REB, 5 AST (Classic glue-guy performance)
Misconceptions About This Boston Team
A lot of people think the Celtics are a "live by the three, die by the three" team. Thursday night proved that's not entirely true. They shot just 33% from beyond the arc as a team. Usually, that’s a recipe for a double-digit loss.
Instead, they won because they tightened the screws defensively in the second half. They forced Miami into tough shots and cleaned up the glass. Neemias Queta’s 9 rebounds might not jump off the page, but his presence in the paint during the fourth quarter changed the geometry of the court.
Also, can we talk about the bench?
It’s not just Simons. Luka Garza gave them 11 solid points in 28 minutes. Jordan Walsh didn't score much, but his +1 rating in 20 minutes shows he was doing the dirty work. This isn't the top-heavy Celtics of three years ago. This is a gauntlet of a roster.
What's Next for the C's?
The road trip doesn't get much easier. They head to Atlanta to take on the Hawks on Saturday night. If you’re tracking the what is the celtics score trend, keep an eye on the injury report. The Hawks have been playing "new-look" basketball lately and are always a trap game for teams coming off a big emotional win like the one in Miami.
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The spread for the Hawks game is likely to be narrow. Boston has been great against the spread on the road this season (13-7-1), but they’ve also shown a tendency to start slow. If they play the first quarter in Atlanta the way they did in Miami, they might not find another 39-point miracle off the bench to save them.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans
Keep an eye on the 2nd unit's minutes. If Simons continues this tear, he’s a lock for Sixth Man of the Year. Also, watch the rebounding battle. When Boston wins the boards, they almost never lose the game.
Check the local listings for the Saturday night tip-off in Atlanta. It’s an 8:00 PM EST start, and given how the East standings are shifting every single night, every possession is starting to feel like playoff basketball.
Don't just look at the final score; look at the fourth-quarter point differential. That’s where the Celtics are winning their championships this month.
To keep up with the team's momentum, track the injury updates for Jayson Tatum's return, as his presence will likely shift Simons back to a more traditional scoring role and stabilize the starting lineup's shooting percentages. Check the official NBA standings daily, as the gap between the 2nd and 5th seeds in the East is currently less than three games.