The Boston Celtics got back on track on Saturday, taking down the Miami Heat by a score of 104-84. Their defense led the way, as the mishaps that brought them down in Game 2 were corrected, leading to an impressive showing on that end of the floor.
Offensively, the Celtics weren’t spectacular, but their process was better. Miami baited them into taking weird mismatches in Game 2, but in Game 3, Boston played their own game.
Let’s take a look at one play, one quote, and one video you might have missed.
1. To switch or not to switch
The Celtics ran a bunch of drop defense in Game 2. There were flashes of it in Game 3, but for the most part, Boston switched. Until they didn’t.
Jrue Holiday and Al Horford switch, but when Duncan Robinson runs through again, Holiday sticks with him.
Boston did this a bunch of times, almost always when they wanted to avoid putting Horford or Kristaps Porzingis in an unfavorable matchup.
And as you can see with the result of this play, the style worked out pretty well for the Celtics.
2. All about identity
Boston has been one of the best teams in the league for years with five Eastern Conference Finals appearances in seven seasons, including one trip to the NBA Finals. But they’re still growing.
This year’s Celtics team is different. They added new pieces and, in turn, have been cultivating a new identity.
They know how good they are, but can they match it with the right intensity?
“Everybody knows how talented we are—can we be the tougher, harder playing team?” Jayson Tatum said post-game. “Combine that with our talent, it’s going to be hard to beat us. Can we start off every game essentially punching first and not reacting? That’s a test for us that we have to get up for every single game.”
3. Celtics fans take over Kaseya Center
Tatum opened up the second quarter with this three-point shot over multiple Miami defenders.
At the time, Bobby Krivitsky of SI Media Group and I were both looking down.
All we heard was the roar of the crowd.
The Celtics fans in Miami were so loud that we thought the Heat had made a basket. Instead, it was just hundreds of Bostonians cheering for Tatum in an away arena.
The same thing happened later in the game when CelticsBlog’s Noa Dalzell thought the Heat scored because of how loud the pop was after a Boston basket.
There were multiple “Let’s go, Celtics” chants throughout the night, and no matter how many times the Heat fans tried to drown them out with boos, they always came back.
Celtics fans travel well, but to see them take over a road arena in the playoffs like they did on Saturday night was incredible.
