MIAMI (Interstat) — Anfernee Simons scored 39 points to lead the Boston Celtics to a 119-114 victory over the Miami Heat on Thursday night at FTX Arena. The Celtics, who trailed by 11 after the first quarter, used a 36-point fourth quarter to secure the win. Simons keyed the comeback, adding four rebounds and four assists. Jaylen Brown added 27 points and seven rebounds for Boston. Miami was led by Norman Powell with 26 points. Tyler Herro scored 22 and Bam Adebayo added 22 for the Heat, which fell to 21-20. Boston improved to 25-15. A crowd of 19,700 watched as the Celtics swept the two-game season series.

MIAMI (Interstat) — Anfernee Simons erupted for a season-high 39 points, including 15 in a pivotal fourth-quarter surge, to propel the Boston Celtics to a 119-114 victory over the Miami Heat on Thursday night at a sold-out FTX Arena. In a game defined by explosive offensive runs and a tense final minute, the Celtics overcame a torrid Miami start and a 12-point first-quarter deficit to snap a two-game skid and improve to 25-15. The Heat, despite a valiant effort led by Norman Powell’s 26 points, fell to 21-20. The most critical sequence of the contest unfolded in the final five minutes. With Boston clinging to a 100-97 lead, Simons, who had been relatively quiet since a hot start, took over. He sank an 11-foot jumper, then moments later, after a Miami miss, connected on a deep 3-pointer to push the Celtics’ advantage to eight. After Miami’s Kasparas Jakucionis hit a pair of free throws, Simons answered with another cold-blooded step-back 3-pointer, giving Boston a 108-102 lead with 4:45 remaining. Miami refused to wilt. Jakucionis and Jaylen Brown traded 3-pointers, keeping the margin at six. But Boston’s defense stiffened in the closing moments. Derrick White blocked a Norman Powell layup attempt, and the Celtics secured several key defensive rebounds to maintain control. Miami managed to trim the deficit to three points on two occasions in the final 13 seconds, but Simons calmly sank four consecutive free throws to ice the game. The contest began at a frenetic pace, heavily favoring the hosts. The Heat, fueled by Andrew Wiggins and Tyler Herro, blitzed the Celtics with a 36-point first quarter, shooting a scorching 64 percent from the field. Boston, by contrast, started sluggishly, committing five early turnovers. The Celtics trailed by as many as 12 and were down 36-25 after one. Boston’s bench, led by Simons and Sam Hauser, sparked the turnaround in the second period. The Celtics chipped away, closing the half on a 10-2 run to narrow the gap to 64-54. The third quarter was a back-and-forth affair, with Miami maintaining a slight edge and taking a 93-86 lead into the final frame. The Celtics saved their best for last, outscoring the Heat 36-21 in the fourth. Their defense, which allowed 64 points in the first half, locked in, holding Miami to 38 percent shooting in the final quarter. Boston also dominated the glass in the period, securing several crucial offensive rebounds to extend possessions. Simons was the catalyst, finishing 13 of 28 from the field and 6 of 15 from 3-point range, adding four rebounds and four assists. His 39 points marked a significant departure from his recent performances, where he had averaged just 12.8 points over his previous four games. Jaylen Brown provided crucial support with 27 points and seven rebounds, while Hauser added 17 points, including several timely 3-pointers. For Miami, Powell’s 26 points led five Heat players in double figures. Tyler Herro scored 22, Bam Adebayo had 22 points and five assists, Andrew Wiggins posted 16 points and eight rebounds, and rookie guard Kasparas Jakucionis orchestrated the offense with 12 points and eight assists. However, Miami’s early hot shooting cooled considerably; after their 36-point first quarter, they scored just 78 points over the final three periods. The game drew a capacity crowd of 19,700 and saw the total score of 233 points just slip under the betting over/under of 232.5. Boston, which covered the spread as a 1.5-point favorite, now heads to Atlanta on Saturday. Miami, concluding a brief two-game homestand, will host the Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday.

Preview: Celtics at Heat, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026 MIAMI (Interstat) — The Boston Celtics, looking to rebound from a last-second loss, visit the Miami Heat on Thursday night in a matchup of Eastern Conference teams trending in opposite directions. The Celtics (24-15) arrive at FTX Arena after a 98-96 road defeat to the Indiana Pacers on Monday, a game in which Payton Pritchard’s 23 points and eight assists weren’t enough. Boston had won six of seven prior to dropping its last two games. Miami (20-19), meanwhile, has lost three straight and four of its last five, including a 124-112 setback at Oklahoma City on Sunday. The Heat have struggled to find consistent form, alternating between explosive offensive nights and lopsided defeats. A key matchup will feature two players in strong individual form. Boston’s Pritchard has been a catalyst, averaging 18.4 points and 6.2 assists over his last 10 games, including a 29-point, nine-rebound, five-assist performance against Indiana on Dec. 26. For the Heat, forward Andrew Wiggins is coming off a 23-point effort against the Thunder and has provided scoring punch, averaging 16.2 points over the same stretch. The teams last met on Dec. 19, 2025, with the Celtics securing a 129-116 home victory. Boston has won four of its last five games overall, while Miami aims to halt its skid and get back above .500 at home. Following this contest, the Celtics continue a road trip at Atlanta on Saturday. The Heat remain home to host the Oklahoma City Thunder that same night. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. EST at FTX Arena.