Sunday, February 1, 2026

Paolo Banchero scores 28 as Magic top Celtics 113-96 at home

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The Boston Celtics just keep on proving they’re the team to beat in the East. On Wednesday night, they delivered another dominant performance, cruising past the Miami Heat with a 110-95 road win. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown led the way in a game that showed just how deep and versatile this Celtics roster really is.

Game / News Breakdown

Boston came into this matchup riding high with the best record in the NBA, and they didn’t take their foot off the gas. From the jump, the Celtics controlled the pace. They opened the first quarter with sharp ball movement and stifling defense, forcing Miami into early turnovers and low-percentage shots.

The Heat, who have battled inconsistency throughout the season, couldn’t find their rhythm offensively. Jimmy Butler missed his second straight game due to a foot injury, which left Miami without their go-to scorer. Boston took full advantage, leading by as much as 20 points in the third quarter and never looking threatened.

This win puts Boston at 36-10 on the season, strengthening their hold on the top spot in the Eastern Conference. As for Miami, the loss drops them to 26-21, sitting in the middle of the crowded playoff picture.

Key Players & Performances

It was a classic Celtics team win, but once again, the stars delivered on the big stage.

Jayson Tatum:
Tatum dropped 26 points on 9-of-17 shooting, along with seven rebounds and four assists. He set the tone early with aggressive drives and strong finishes at the rim. Tatum’s continued maturity as both a scorer and playmaker is fueling Boston’s success.

Jaylen Brown:
Brown was equally impressive with 23 points and clamped down defensively, especially in the second half. His two-way presence has been critical all year, and he’s become one of the more consistent performers in the league.

Derrick White:
Quietly putting together an All-Defensive caliber season, White added 14 points and played excellent perimeter defense, making life tough for Tyler Herro and Kyle Lowry.

Miami Heat Highlights:

– Bam Adebayo led Miami with 21 points and 10 rebounds, battling hard in the paint.
– Tyler Herro struggled shooting, going just 5-of-15 from the field.
– Jaime Jaquez Jr. continued to provide energy off the bench with 12 points in limited minutes.

Injuries were clearly a factor for Miami, but Boston’s all-around execution stood out.

Team Impact & Standings

For the Celtics, the formula remains the same: tough defense, high-efficiency offense, and a roster that runs 8–10 players deep. They lead the league in net rating and maintain the NBA’s best home and away records. This victory improved their road record to 17-6, a crucial stat when playoff seeding tightens up.

Miami, on the other hand, has shown flashes but struggles with consistency. They’re now seventh in the East, just one game above the Play-In line. With Butler and Terry Rozier nursing injuries, the Heat will need to lean on their depth and hope for a healthy stretch soon.

What’s Next

The Celtics continue their road trip with a back-to-back Friday night against the Pelicans in New Orleans. That game will test Boston’s legs and depth, especially against a Pelicans squad fighting for playoff positioning in the West.

For the Heat, they’ll return home to face the New York Knicks on Saturday. Depending on injury updates, they could once again be short-handed—something they can’t afford as the East playoff race tightens.

Conclusion

Boston’s win over Miami was a statement that they’re not just stacking regular-season wins—they’re getting better as a team. With elite chemistry, depth, and two rising superstars, the Celtics are showing why many expect them to represent the East this summer.

Meanwhile, the Heat need to regroup quickly. If they want to avoid the Play-In scenario and make a real playoff push, health and consistency must be priorities moving forward.

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