Well, the opportunity to flatten the pesky Heat once and for all (until next year, of course) is finally here.
The Celtics have waited for this moment since last May, and it’s finally in front of them. I think everyone in the organization would be OK with never going back to Miami for another playoff game, and that starts with a juicy Game 5 tonight.
Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m. at TD Garden. Here are three things to look for:
Do they show their killer instinct?
The Celtics have handled every twist that’s come their way this series with grace and mental fortitude.
Caleb Martin’s body blow to Jayson Tatum, the head-scratching Game 2 loss, the Kristaps Porzingis injury, the Tatum and Bam Abebayo controversy — there’s been no shortage of drama, but the Celtics have been the tougher and more composed team.
“I can’t stand it. I can’t wait until they’re gone from the playoffs!” @MichaelSHolley is DONE with ‘Heat culture’ after Bam Adebayo was called for a ‘flagrant 1’ for stepping into Jayson Tatum’s landing space after the whistle in Game 4 pic.twitter.com/X5BSBQH0Ba
— Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) April 30, 2024
This will be the greatest test yet. Miami will come out with an edge. Duncan Robinson may hit four 3’s in the first quarter. The Celtics need to be ready to step on the bug, squish it into the concrete and keep walking without remorse.
It goes back to the concept of not underestimating the Heat. Pretend this is a Game 7. Finish it now.
Photo by Paul Rutherford/Getty Images
Who gets the Porzingis minutes?
Time will tell how long Porzingis is out. So, that means Al Horford will almost certainly start. Who will see action from there? Probably Luke Kornet, who has been the definition of serviceable this year and has consistently produced whether he played five or 25 minutes.
I’d also like to see a little Xavier Tillman, but there’s a chance coach Joe Mazzulla keeps the rotation at mostly seven with a little Kornet sprinkled in periodically. Kornet played just five and three minutes in Game 3 and Game 4 after coming back from injury, but I’d guess that’ll go up to around 10 to 15 on Wednesday.
Al Horford has confidence in the Celtics’ bigs:
“KP wasn’t always playing all the time, so Luke, Xavier, Neemy have to kind of be ready to step up and answer the call. They’ve been doing a good job of that all year… I have confidence in those guys.”
(Via @CelticsCLNS) pic.twitter.com/5LLdvyLcLo
— Noa Dalzell (@NoaDalzellNBA) April 30, 2024
Horford, Tatum and Jrue Holiday will all contribute to trying to slow Adebayo down, but I personally think Tillman would provide some physicality in short spurts to give Adebayo a different look. The Celtics’ have prepared for this possibility all along, so they’ll be ready.
At the same time, one could argue that Adebayo is going to get his 20 to 30 and the more pressing issue is containing Miami’s 3-point shooters. The Heat have a chance if they catch fire from 3. Otherwise, they don’t have a prayer.
Can Derrick White keep it rolling?
That was fun, huh? After a sizzling Game 4 masterpiece, White is now averaging 21.8 points, 3.5 assists, 3.3 rebounds and 1.3 blocks, while shooting, 56.9 percent from the floor, 47.1 percent from 3 and 100 percent from the line. Not too shabby.
I would argue the Celtics should have looked for him more in the first three games, but he blended in and contributed at a high level. Then he took over Monday night, and man, what a sight it was.
A White heater is a glorious experience. He just looks so happy out there, and it’s clearly contagious. When his teammates see him having fun, they relax and have fun themselves. The Celtics are at their best when they play freely.
Chances are he won’t drop 38 again (maybe he will, who knows?), but he should be a focal point offensively like he was in Game 4.
When White’s aggressive, looking for his shot and has a star mindset, the Celtics go from great to almost unstoppable.
