A row and it starts again. This could be the summary of the last 48 hours of the Boston Celtics. Two days after a heated “discussion” in the locker room after their second consecutive defeat in the Eastern Conference final against the Miami Heat, the Celtics took Game 3 by the right end and led from start to finish (117-106 ) to revive in this series (2 wins to 1).
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From the first few minutes, it was clear that Boston, which picked up Gordon Hayward on Saturday, was going to show much more aggression in the game. “They played with much more force than in the first two matches”, recognized Erik Spoelstra, coach of the Heat, at the microphone of ESPN. In the first quarter, they focused on the inside with eighteen points in the paint compared to just four in Miami. And in the second period, it was their defense that widened the gap. With a first sequence of three minutes (17th-19th) with two blocks and an interception (resulting in 7 points). Then a one-minute second (23rd) where two interceptions and a long rebound on a three-point Miami offered six points on the counterattack and increased the gap to +10 (58-48).
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Four days to wait before game 4 …
With a Goran Dragic much less lively than in the first two matches (2 out of 10 shooting, for 11 points, and 5 ball losses and a plus / minus of -29!), The Heat could not react, leaving Boston to take up to 20 points (100-80, 41st). Bam Adebayo did try to revive his team (27 points, 16 rebounds) but there was only a minute left to play when the gap fell for the first time under the ten-point mark. Far too late for a team limited to 27% three-point success.
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Boston side, Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum signed a benchmark match with 26 and 25 points respectively (plus 14 rebounds and 8 assists for the latter). Kemba Walker also responded (21 points to 8 of 16 shooting) while Marcus Smart has distinguished himself in a different register from his play-offs so far: six assists (and 20 points) but not the slightest basket three-point (and only 2 award-winning shots attempted). A formula that seems winning against the defense of Miami who had greatly embarrassed the Celtics with his zone at times.
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Boston and Brad Stevens, his coach, having managed to adapt to the problems posed by Miami, it is now Erik Spoelstra’s turn to try to find solutions. The Heat coach benefits from a little helping hand from fate in this perspective. ESPN, broadcaster of the Eastern Conference final, prefers to keep Monday Night Football (US football) Monday in prime time and postponed Game 4 to Wednesday leaving four players to the Florida technician to prepare his response.
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