Boston Celtics survive early drought to beat the Miami Heat at home (PHOTOS)

The Boston Celtics might have had a historically bad shooting night in the first half of their 98-96 win over the Miami Heat at TD Garden this Friday (Feb. 6) night. But that did not stop them from finding a way to win in former Chicago Bulls big man Nikola Vucevic’s debut.

Despite starting the night 1-21 from beyond the arc, the Celtics managed to eventually get their efficiency from deep to an almost-respectable 10-of-36 on a night where the Heat were just a few percentage points better from 3 and both ball clubs hitting 42% of their shots overall by the time the final buzzer sounded. Winning the battle of the boards 50-42 thanks in part to Vooch, as did logging more blocks (7 vs. Miami’s 3) on a night where winning any margin was critical to the victory.

Let’s take a look at some of the best plays of the game captured in images.

Feb 6, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics center Nikola Vucevic (4) shoots a free throw during the second half against the Miami Heat at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images

Feb 6, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard (11) reacts after making a basket during the second half against the Miami Heat at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images

Feb 6, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics guard Hugo Gonzalez (28) and Miami Heat guard Norman Powell (24) battle for the ball during the second half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images

Feb 6, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) controls the ball while Miami Heat forward Andrew Wiggins (22) defends during the second half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images

Feb 6, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Miami Heat guard Davion Mitchell (45) falls over Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) during the second half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images

Feb 6, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics guard Derrick White (9) shoots the ball during the second half against the Miami Heat at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images

Feb 6, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard (11) controls the ball while Miami Heat guard Davion Mitchell (45) defends during the second half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images

Feb 6, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard (11) drives to the basket past Miami Heat guard Norman Powell (24) during the second half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images

Feb 6, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics guard Derrick White (9) congratulates guard Payton Pritchard (11) after making a basket during the second half against the Miami Heat at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images