In a season where Boston Celtics heavily relied on the 3-point line, Erik Spoelstra outdid the C’s in their own game. The Heat made a franchise record of 23 threes, shooting more than 55% of their shots from beyond the arc. Tyler Herro was the assumed torchbearer of the fireworks (6-11 on longballs). However, the Heat saw Caleb Martin embracing his newly titled villainous role against Boston.

Martin scored the team’s joint second-highest 21 points, sinking 5 threes on an 83% clip. Moreover, he displayed a knack for rising through the pressure, as Celtics fans chanted against him every time he touched the ball. With that, coach Spo, in the post-game presser, took a few moments out to applaud Caleb’s surge. Citing him as an “X-factor of X-factors,” Erik shed light on Caleb’s competitiveness; something that fails to radiate through the box score. Claiming the value he brings through his “leadership, his voice, that edgy-ness,” he appreciated the “imprint” the 28-year-old leaves on the floor.

Martin was not the Heat’s best scorer of the game. His 4 starting teammates, just like him, managed to drop double-digit numbers. However, his efficiency from the range helped the Heat keep an upper hand as they played without Jimmy Butler and Terry Rozier. Caleb’s pestering defense and ability to knock the ball down glued Miami’s approach of relying on the 3-point line.

Interestingly, Martin averaged 10 points on 43.1% from the field and 34.9% from 3s this season. His roles revolved around making things defensively hard for the opposing teams and hitting timely shots. Now, a unique stat comes to light as he became a key offensive piece against the Celtics. Caleb, during his 3 years of playoff battles against the Celtics, produces 13.6 points per game. Moreover, he shoots 55.9% from the field and 48.6% from three!

Heat fans expect a second-round entry behind Caleb Martin

With Caleb Martin’s pivotal performance, Miami Heat fans see a glimmer of hope in the undermanned squad. They anticipate cruising to the 2nd round over the league-leading Boston, all while citing him as the “Celtics Killer”.

Heat fans are loving the new moniker and flooding X with the same. Caleb Martin first met the Celtics in playoffs during the 2021-22 season. He was limited to just 7.3 points per game (15 minutes) in the series. However, his shooting remained unbothered, as he sank 48.6% of his shots!

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A fan claimed that that the Celtics are having flashbacks of their playoff history against C’s, commenting on one of Martin’s late-game clutch three.

Even Prize Picks, one of the leaders in the fantasy basketball realm, could not help but mention Caleb’s new nickname in light of his surge against Boston.

With that, one of the fans highlighted the Red Code controversy that sparked in Game 1, alongside Caleb’s consistent Boston let-downs. With that, the fan quipped, “Celtics Killer ECF Code Red CALEB MF MARTIN”

One of the fans, in hopes of mocking the Boston fans, urged them to double down on their hate towards Martin, as it made him ball out in Game 2.

During last season’s fiery series, Caleb significantly elevated his production. As Jimmy Butler led the team past crunch time moments in the 7-game series, Caleb posted 19.3 points on 60.2% efficiency. He also scored his series-high 26 points in the elimination game.

Caleb’s surge definitely came in handy for the Heat and the fanbase couldn’t control their joy while praising Erik Spoelstra and Co. Now, as they take the series home for the coming 2 games, will Martin be able to maintain his hot hand?