The NBA postseason is a proving floor for groups and gamers alike. In Boston’s case, after dropping final season within the convention finals to Miami, this primary spherical collection was simply as a lot a check of psychological fortitude because it was of pure ability.
With a litany of gamers sidelined for the Warmth together with star Jimmy Butler, the Celtics had been favored on paper, however there have been nonetheless murmurs of Miami having an edge on Boston mentally. An upset street win in Recreation 2 by Miami solely additional stoked criticism of the Celtics after giving up a historic quantity of three pointers.
Credit score the place credit score is due: Spo has his guys prepared and provides them confidence. Miami learn the scenario precisely, as per common, and went to bombing threes. Boston by no means adjusted after they obtained scorching.
It is on the Celtics to now modify on protection and to play their recreation on offense.
— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) April 25, 2024
Even within the postseason, outliers like Recreation 2 can occur, however it’s not in regards to the loss; it’s about the way you react to it. A lot rides on how a staff responds after getting punched within the mouth, particularly after the daring overreactions from the NBA neighborhood. After taking one on the chin, Boston responded with a large assertion, successful two straight in Miami and shutting out the collection in blowout vogue at house.
What’s most spectacular is how Boston’s protection tailored after Miami’s record-setting taking pictures efficiency in Recreation 2. Miami shot a historic 23-of-43 on threes of their lone win, with Tyler Herro main the cost on 6-of-11 taking pictures from deep; Herro solely hit 6 extra photographs from deep the remaining three video games of the collection. As a staff, Miami shot a mixed 21-of-90 (23.3%) from past the arc the remainder of the collection.
The Celtics outscored Miami by 61 factors since Jimmy Butler’s Recreation 3 interview.
They trailed the Warmth for a grand complete of 56 seconds from that time till the top of the collection.https://t.co/0oSstzgZi4
— Taylor Snow (@taylorcsnow) Could 2, 2024
Boston peeled again the curtain on Miami’s offense and revealed it for the straw man it was: a significantly-limited group propped up by the previous and an outlier Recreation 2 efficiency. The Warmth relied on parlor methods, disguising uneven play as toughness and demanding respect after a daily season by which they hadn’t earned it. Tack on accidents to Jimmy Butler, Terry Rozier, and Josh Richardson to start out the collection, and Miami was enjoying on borrowed time.
After closing out the collection, the Celtics are third in offensive ranking (117.7), third in defensive ranking (100.7), and first in internet ranking (17.0) out of all playoff groups within the first spherical. Even after dropping Kristaps Porzingis to harm for no less than 1-2 weeks, the Celtics stay decided and locked in whereas they await the winner of the Cavaliers-Magic collection. In both matchup, Boston might want to depend on their protection, and with depth on the large man place, the staff can keep afloat till their star middle returns.
Jayson Tatum stated the Celtics wanted to be sincere with themselves.
“What are groups — what’s their message, what’s their recreation plan to beat us?” he stated. “And it’s to choose up the tempo, the strain, be extra bodily, crash the glass, do all of the intangible issues.”
However what if…
— Jay King (@ByJayKing) Could 2, 2024
Make no mistake, the Celtics nonetheless boast one of the crucial deadly offenses in latest reminiscence, with a number of gamers able to taking on each evening. Visions of Derrick White are sure to hang-out Warmth followers for the following decade.
It’s Boston’s versatility on either side of the ground that permits them to vary up their method primarily based on matchups, however a lot of it is going to be spawned from their defensive efforts. Towards Miami, the Celtics pushed the dial to 11, completely dominating the glass defensively whereas robbing the Warmth of second likelihood and fastbreak alternatives.
These type of stats don’t simply come from sheer luck or likelihood; they’re manufactured by way of pure hustle, positional consciousness and uncooked effort. Hustle beats expertise when expertise doesn’t attempt arduous sufficient, however the Celtics are the product of when expertise hustles.
Jayson Tatum with some illuminating phrases on the idea of ‘toughness’:
“It is simple to say groups can out-tough us. I by no means understood what is the definition of powerful? Having louder guys in your staff? That shit do not make you powerful. All people has their very own definition.” pic.twitter.com/PTIXTABIdI
— Noa Dalzell (@NoaDalzellNBA) Could 2, 2024
Boston’s playstyle and domination of Miami have given them the trail ahead within the playoffs. Placing the Warmth firmly of their rearview, the Celtics can flip their consideration in the direction of the Magic and Cavs, which hopefully will go seven video games and permit for as a lot relaxation as attainable for Porzingis.
Miami was a obligatory check for Boston to beat, however ultimately made them stronger and extra ready for the challenges forward. Getting revenge for final 12 months was simply the cherry on prime.
