The Boston Celtics received again on monitor on Saturday, taking down the Miami Warmth by a rating of 104-84. Their protection led the best way, because the mishaps that introduced them down in Sport 2 had been corrected, resulting in a powerful exhibiting on that finish of the ground.
Offensively, the Celtics weren’t spectacular, however their course of was higher. Miami baited them into taking bizarre mismatches in Sport 2, however in Sport 3, Boston performed their very own sport.
Let’s check out one play, one quote, and one video you may need missed.
1. To change or to not change
The Celtics ran a bunch of drop protection in Sport 2. There have been flashes of it in Sport 3, however for probably the most half, Boston switched. Till they didn’t.
Jrue Vacation and Al Horford change, however when Duncan Robinson runs by once more, Vacation sticks with him.
Boston did this a bunch of instances, nearly all the time once they wished to keep away from placing Horford or Kristaps Porzingis in an unfavorable matchup.
And as you’ll be able to see with the results of this play, the type labored out fairly effectively for the Celtics.
2. All about id
Boston has been the most effective groups within the league for years with 5 Japanese Convention Finals appearances in seven seasons, together with one journey to the NBA Finals. However they’re nonetheless rising.
This yr’s Celtics workforce is completely different. They added new items and, in flip, have been cultivating a brand new id.
They understand how good they’re, however can they match it with the correct depth?
“Everyone is aware of how gifted we’re—can we be the harder, more durable taking part in workforce?” Jayson Tatum mentioned post-game. “Mix that with our expertise, it’s going to be arduous to beat us. Can we begin off each sport primarily punching first and never reacting? That’s a take a look at for us that we’ve got to stand up for each single sport.”
3. Celtics followers take over Kaseya Heart
Tatum opened up the second quarter with this three-point shot over a number of Miami defenders.
On the time, Bobby Krivitsky of SI Media Group and I had been each wanting down.
All we heard was the roar of the group.
The Celtics followers in Miami had been so loud that we thought the Warmth had made a basket. As a substitute, it was simply lots of of Bostonians cheering for Tatum in an away enviornment.
The identical factor occurred later within the sport when CelticsBlog’s Noa Dalzell thought the Warmth scored due to how loud the pop was after a Boston basket.
There have been a number of “Let’s go, Celtics” chants all through the night time, and irrespective of what number of instances the Warmth followers tried to drown them out with boos, they all the time got here again.
Celtics followers journey effectively, however to see them take over a street enviornment within the playoffs like they did on Saturday night time was unimaginable.
