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Getty Ime Udoka, Boston Celtics
After gaining momentum in the Eastern Conference Finals, the Boston Celtics are one win away from advancing to the final round of the postseason and contending for a championship.
However, beating the Miami Heat is never easy; they are a team that plays with a huge heart and put their bodies on the line for every possession with their high physical level. However, despite the Heat’s willingness to come out with their sword, the Celtics found a way to get through a tough road game, even if it wasn’t easy.
During the May 25 contest, the Celtics allowed 19 offensive rebounds, leading to 24 second-chance points; Boston also finished the game with 15 total turnovers, which Miami converted into another 17 points. That means the Celtics were responsible for 41 of the Heat’s 80, and that didn’t seem to sit well with Ime Udoka.
PlayIme Udoka to Jaylen Brown: We CANNOT keep flipping the ball | Celtics vs. Heat Game 5MIAMI, FL — Ime Udoka was interviewed following Boston’s 93-80 road win over the Miami Heat in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals. The Celtics will now head back to Boston with one more win that keeps them away from their first NBA Finals berth since 2010. Ime Udoka told the advice he gave Jaylen… 2022-05-26T04:04:33Z
“We weren’t playing our best in the first half, in many ways. Sometimes that’s all it takes. Too many turnovers, offensive rebounds, second-chance points: things we’ve emphasized. That said, they had 47 points at the half. We felt like we were in good shape if we cleaned up turnovers, limited them…little things like that helped get some of our guys going on offense,” Udoka said when asked about Boston’s continued struggles to take care of the ball.
Jaylen Brown recently addressed her turnovers
There’s no question that Game 3 of this series was Boston’s worst performance, mostly because of their constant mistakes and inability to take care of the ball. During that May 21 game, Jaylen Brown gave up possession seven times as he tried to force the issue and take on too much of a role.
Brown has struggled with his handling throughout his career. The Georgia native is fine when he drives the rock at speed, but once an opposing defense shows a crowd, the ball gets loose and is often taken away.
Speaking after his poor showing in Game 3, Brown discussed his struggles with taking care of the ball and admitted that he needs to improve that area of his game as soon as possible.
PlayVideoVideo related to ime udoka sounds bad about celts mistakes2022-05-26T07:40:40-04:00
“Just be stronger. I did my job today, taking care of the basketball. Just being stronger, driving, I’m going to keep being aggressive, I’m going to keep getting to the basket, I’m going to keep doing what I do, but being stronger when I get there… I don’t make excuses; we’ll get better. I did a great job taking care of the basketball today. I have to do better,” Brown told the media after Boston’s second loss in the series.
In the two games that followed, Brown upped his game, averaging 18.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and just 2.5 turnovers per game while shooting 38.5% from the field and 40% from deep. If the Celtics are going to have a chance at lifting the NBA championship in the coming weeks, they’re going to need the best version of Jaylen Brown, and it all starts with him continuing to take care of the ball on offense.
Returning to Boston
By securing the victory in game five, the Celtics now own the momentum as they return to the TD Garden for a possible closing game in front of their home crowd. Ideally, Boston should take care of business on May 27 to avoid a possible do-or-die Game 7 in Miami.
Judging from what we’ve seen from this Celtics team in the last two games, they’re more than equipped to finish this series in six games, which would also give them six days off before the NBA Finals kick off. which would allow them players to recover after two consecutive physical series of playoff basketball.
I’ve said Celtics at six since the start of the series. close it on friday
— Adam (@dirtywatahkid) May 26, 2022
Winning three straight against the top-seeded Heat would also send a strong message to their Western Conference opponents, letting them know they’re the real deal and capable of going deep. Assuming Boston enters Game 6 in fairly clean health, there’s a good chance they’ll wrap up this series and give Tatum and Brown a shot at their first championship together.
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