If you woke up this morning wondering what was the score of the Celtics game last night, you’re probably looking for a simple number, but honestly, the 119-114 final score doesn't even begin to tell the story. The Boston Celtics didn't just win; they snatched a victory out of the jaws of what looked like a guaranteed, embarrassing blowout against the Miami Heat.
It was ugly early. Like, really ugly.
By the seven-minute mark of the first quarter, the Celtics were staring at a 28-9 deficit. Nineteen points. In seven minutes. It felt like one of those nights where you just want to turn the TV off and go to bed. But if you did that, you missed Anfernee Simons turning into a literal flamethrower.
The Anfernee Simons Show: A Bench Performance for the Ages
Most people expected Jaylen Brown to carry the load, and while he was solid with 27 points, the real story was Simons. Coming off the bench, he dropped a season-high 39 points. He didn't just score; he took over the entire game in the fourth quarter.
Simons dropped 18 points in the final frame alone.
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At one point, he scored 11 consecutive points for Boston. It was the kind of individual heater that makes you realize why the front office was so high on him. He became only the fourth Celtics player in the last 50 years to put up at least 39 points off the bench, joining names like Larry Bird and Payton Pritchard. That is elite company.
Breaking Down the Box Score
The Celtics outscored Miami 36-21 in the fourth quarter. That’s where the game was won. While the Heat had a balanced attack—Norman Powell had 26, while Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro each chipped in 22—they simply ran out of gas when the Celtics cranked up the defensive pressure.
Sam Hauser was the unsung hero, too. He finished with 17 points and hit a massive three-pointer with about five minutes left to give Boston its first lead since the opening minute. It felt like the air just sucked out of the building in Miami.
Why This Win Actually Matters for the Standings
Look, winning in January is great, but this particular victory stopped a nasty two-game slide. Boston is now 25-15. They are currently sitting 4.5 games behind the Detroit Pistons for the top spot in the East.
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If you look at the conference landscape, the race is tightening up. The Knicks and Raptors are right on Boston's heels. Dropping a game where you were down by 19 would have been a massive blow to the team's "clutch" reputation, which has been a bit shaky lately. Remember that heartbreaking 98-96 loss to the Pacers earlier this week? This comeback was the perfect antidote to that frustration.
Key Stats From Last Night
- Final Score: Celtics 119, Heat 114
- Top Scorer: Anfernee Simons (39 PTS, 13-28 FG, 7-16 3PT)
- The Turnaround: Boston trailed by 19 in the first quarter
- Fourth Quarter Margin: Celtics +15 (36-21)
What Most People Get Wrong About This Celtics Team
There’s a common narrative that if Jayson Tatum or Jaylen Brown aren't the ones taking the final shots, the Celtics are in trouble. Last night proved that’s kinda nonsense. Joe Mazzulla has built a system where the "others" can actually be the stars.
With Kristaps Porzingis out and Payton Pritchard dealing with an ankle injury, the depth was tested. Seeing Sam Hauser and Anfernee Simons close out a game against a veteran Miami Heat squad says a lot about the mental toughness of this roster. They didn't panic when the lead changed hands twice in the final minutes. Brown’s three-pointer with 4:05 left put them up for good, but it was the bench that built the bridge to get there.
Looking Ahead: The Hawks Are Next
The Celtics don't have long to celebrate. They are heading to Atlanta to take on the Hawks tonight, January 17th.
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Atlanta is a weird team this year. They’re 20-23 and just integrated CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert into their lineup. The Hawks are desperate for a win to stay in the play-in hunt, and the Celtics might be tired after that emotional comeback in Miami.
Keep an eye on the injury report. Payton Pritchard is doubtful with that ankle issue, and since the Celtics just played a high-intensity game, Mazzulla might be forced to rely on Simons and Hauser even more.
If you're tracking the betting lines, the Celtics are currently 3.5-point favorites for the Atlanta game. Given how they started last night, taking the Celtics to cover early might be risky, but they clearly have the "find a way to win" gene right now.
Check the active roster about an hour before tip-off to see if any late-scratch rests happen for the veterans. Since it's a back-to-back, don't be surprised if the rotation looks a little funky early on.