MIAMI -- This Heat season, and perhaps this era of Heat basketball, stands one loss from expiration after a sixth consecutive home playoff loss and a second offensive dud against Boston in three days.

Undermanned and seemingly out of both firepower and answers, the Heat succumbed to the Celtics, 102-88, on Monday night at Kaseya Center and now trails 3-1 in this first-round playoff series.

The eighth-seeded Heat fell to 23-21 at home this season and dropped to 1-12 at home against teams with sure-fire Hall of Fame players. Miami has been outscored by 148 points in those 13 games, a signal that major roster change is likely needed.

What’s more, the Celtics have won five of their last six playoff games at Kaseya Center, going back to their Game 7 win in the 2022 Eastern Conference finals.

Though the effort was there initially, the errant-shooting Heat never did anything to suggest it could actually win on Monday. To their credit, Miami cut a 28-point third quarter deficit to 13 with 5:21 left, at 91-78.

Then, a bit of drama. Bam Adebayo lightly pushed Jayson Tatum on a three and was called for a flagrant foul. Al Horford was called for a technical foul on that play, but Tyler Herro missed the free throw, his first miss after 34 consecutive made free throws.

Meanwhile, Tatum then hit two free throws to push the lead to 15. From there, the Heat missed three shots and Derrick White hit a dagger, putting Boston up 17.

White torched the Heat with 38 points on 15 for 26 shooting, including 8 for 15 on threes.

On the other end, the Heat shot poorly: 40.7 percent from the field and 27.3 percent on threes (9 for 33).

The oddsmakers likely would say there’s a better chance of a snowstorm in Cutler Bay than the depleted Heat winning this series.

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