The Miami Warmth evened out their first-round sequence towards the Celtics with a stunning 111-101 victory over in Boston on Wednesday night time. Not many followers noticed this Recreation 2 outcome coming, because the Warmth have been 14.5-point underdogs at tip-off. However Shaquille O’Neal made a surprisingly correct prediction. 

“Miami by 10 tonight,” Shaq mentioned forward of the sport throughout NBA on TNT. 

Charles Barkley disagreed and mentioned he would guess towards him. Warmth star Jimmy Butler is at the moment out with an MCL harm he suffered throughout their Play-In Event loss to the Philadelphia 76ers. He’s not anticipated to return for the primary spherical sequence, however O’Neal — a Corridor of Famer who performed for each the Warmth and Celtics throughout his 19-year NBA profession — was nonetheless not doubting one among his former groups.

Regardless of Boston getting into halftime with a 61-58 benefit, O’Neal’s opinion remained unchanged and he even instructed Barkley he would double the guess.

“Jimmy just isn’t there so that they undoubtedly should unfold the love,” O’Neal mentioned. “Look, (the Warmth) are taking pictures the ball nice… They’re going to proceed taking pictures and they’ll steal this recreation. With Boston, they reside by the tree they usually die by the three.”

On Wednesday, Miami was the warmer workforce. The Warmth acquired 62% of their factors from 3-point vary by going 23-for 43. That’s the most 3-pointers ever for Miami in a postseason recreation. 

O’Neal was additionally proper about spreading the love. All 5 Miami starters scored in double figures. Tyler Herro led the profitable offense with 24 factors, which included six 3-pointers. He additionally accomplished a double-double with 14 assists. Bam Adebayo and Caleb Martin contributed with 21 factors every, with Adebayo additionally including 10 rebounds. Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Nikola Jovic put up 14 and 11 factors, respectively.