The Miami Heat surprised everyone when they destroyed the Boston Celtics in Game 2 of their series. Former Los Angeles Lakers star and current NBA analyst Shaquille O’Neal did the same when he issued a prediction that hit the mark about how the Heat took home the victory.
Just recently, the Heat got the 111-101 victory over the heavily-favored Celtics at the TD Garden. Tyler Herro scorched Boston by tallying 24 points on 54 percent shooting from deep, five rebounds, and 14 assists. Bam Adebayo ended the night with 21 points and 10 rebounds, while rookie Jaime Jaquez Jr. added 14 points. Caleb Martin, for his part, delivered 21 points for his team.
Jaylen Brown finished the game with 33 points and eight assists to lead Boston in Game 2. Jayson Tatum made 28 points and eight rebounds, while Derrick White contributed 13 points. Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis only combined for 15 points, which led to the Celtics loss against the Miami.
Even without Jimmy Butler, the Celtics failed to capitalize on his absence by winning the first two games in their own home court. Miami now has a chance to take the lead as Game 3 will be fought on the Kaseya Center.
Before Game 2, O’Neal claimed the Heat will win Game 2 as Charles Barkley challenged him to bet on it. As seen in the posts shared on X below, it looked like the former Miami Heat star landed his prediction well.
Before the Heat-Celtics game, Shaq said Miami would win by 10.
Barkley said let’s bet on it.
Shaq doubled the bet at halftime.
Cut to Shaq with wads of hundreds.
This is why Inside the NBA = pic.twitter.com/0FStkzuIix
— Jimmy Traina (@JimmyTraina) April 25, 2024
“Wait a minute
Shaq called Miami by 10 tonight
Heat won 111-101,” Emo Jimmy tweeted.
Just call him Shaqstradamus @SHAQ https://t.co/rmWqBudGP0 pic.twitter.com/zdauNd0c4n
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) April 25, 2024
O’Neal won his fourth and final ring with the Miami Heat during the 2005-06 season . During that period, he got to play with a young Dwayne Wade right after winning a three-peat with a Kobe Bryant as part of the early 2000s Los Angeles Lakers.
O’Neal’s prediction ended up to be correct as Miami will now try to take lead of the series in their home court. This time, though, more people will have to listen to the NBA legend is he makes another prediction for this showdown.
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