4 takeaways as Celtics bounce back in Game 3 win over Heat

After the Celtics dropped Game 2 to the Miami Heat, the message stayed the same.

“A lot of the similar stuff we have been talking about this whole series,” Derrick White said on Joe Mazzulla’s message at shootaround entering Game 3. “Just got to continue being the tougher playing team. Just do a little bit more on the defensive end.”

The Celtics did just that.

Right from the start, Boston’s intensity was palpable, resulting in them controlling the game wire-to-wire, securing a commanding 104-84 victory in Game 3, leading by as much as 29 points.

Once again, the disparity in talent between Boston and Miami was clear, especially with key Heat players like Jimmy Butler, Terry Rozier, and Delon Wright sidelined. But what truly stood out was Boston’s relentless effort.

“Everybody knows how talented we are – can we be the tougher, harder playing team? Combine that with our talent, and 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.”

The Celtics passed that test in Game 3, evidenced by their dominance in the margins.

Boston outshot Miami 82-77 from the field, 37-28 from beyond the arc, and 21-14 from the free-throw line. They also outrebounded the Heat 43-36 and won the turnover battle 12-5. If not for being whistled for an eight-second violation when dribbling out the clock in the final minute, the Celtics would have tied their franchise record for their fewest turnovers in a game. Nonetheless, the Celtics finished with a commanding 24-4 advantage in points off turnovers.

“You just have to focus on the things that you can control going into every game,” Joe Mazzulla said postgame.

“At the end of the day, the game is pretty simple. You gotta find the simple things that you can execute, the simple things you can take away. And then, how do you just bring the right mindset and physicality? To me, I know it’s mundane, and the playoffs create a lot of hysteria, but there’s no difference between the regular season and a playoff game. You just gotta bring it — mentally, physically, emotionally. Just gotta bring it, and you gotta execute. It’s just preparing yourself for that.”

Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown led the Celtics, finishing with 22 points apiece, while Kristaps Porzingis and Derrick White contributed 18 and 16, respectively.

Bam Adebayo finished with a team-high 20 points for the hosts in the setback.

Here are four takeaways as the Celtics claim a 2-1 series lead. Historically, teams holding a 2-1 lead in a best-of-7 series have won 73.7% of the time.

Defensive adjustments

After a shaky defensive display in Game 2, the Celtics bounced back emphatically in Game 3.

Boston was in Miami’s air space all night with aggressive closeouts and strong contests, putting pressure on Miami’s offense.

“Individual defense. Team defense,” Mazzulla said postgame on what he liked most on the defensive end. “I thought Jrue was great. I don’t know when he got his first shot, but I thought he dictated the defensive tempo of the game. I thought Tatum answered the call defensively. I thought KP and Al did a great job. I thought everybody- I thought our bench came in and really pushed the pace on both ends of the floor. So, just connected, tough, physical, individual defense. Team defense.”

Boston’s defense set the tone from the start, forcing misses on eight of Miami’s first nine shots. The Celtics surrendered just 12 points in the opening frame – marking Miami’s second-fewest points in an opening quarter in playoff history.

Miami finished the night with just 84 points on 32-of-77 (41.6%) shooting. Boston’s 84 points surrendered marked a season-low.

“I think our attention to detail on the defensive end today was a lot better than last game,” Jayson Tatum said after the game. “[We] tried our best to just not let them get comfortable, in a rhythm. They’re going to make shots, but just try to make them as tough as you can as often as you can.”

In Game 2, Miami poured in 23 triples, setting a postseason franchise record, tying third-most in NBA postseason history, and marking the most ever allowed by Boston in a playoff game. In turn, defending the perimeter was a key point of emphasis for the Celtics entering Game 3 on Saturday night, and they checked that box, holding Miami to 9-of-28 (32.1%) on the perimeter.

“No dare shots. Respecting those guys’ capability,” Jaylen Brown said when asked what the Celtics did better defensively in Game 3. “They’re NBA players, and they can make shots on any given night. So, treating them accordingly, closing out, just making them uncomfortable. And then on the other side, just executing the offense.”

On a night the Celtics shot 11-of-37 (29.7%) from deep and totaled just 104 points, Boston’s defense was what got the job done in Game 3.

Kristaps Porzingis bounces back

Following his worst game as a Celtic in Game 2, there was no worry surrounding Porzingis entering Game 3.

“KP will be fine. As far as that goes, I feel like we’ll be a little more organized. He’ll have opportunities,” Al Horford said at practice on Thursday. “He missed a lot of touch shots that he normally makes. That’s bound to happen. I’m confident that he’ll be good to go on Saturday, and he’ll be much better.”

“I expect him to bounce back and have a good game,” Joe Mazzulla added pregame.

It was evident in the opening minutes that Porzingis had already shaken off his rough Game 2.

The big man rattled home the first eight points of the game for the Celtics, nearly matching his nine-point total from Game 2. Porzingis finished the night with 18 points on a very efficient 5-of-9 (55.6%) shooting from the field and 3-of-5 (60.0%) from distance, with five boards and two assists.

“He took the same amount of shots as he did last game - made four more. It’s important that we get him going on both ends of the floor,” Mazzulla said after the game. “So, I think just getting him involved is important. Moving him around. He has the ability to create indecision. I thought his rolls were good. They put pressure on the rim. And I thought his pops were good, too, because he forced some pockets into two-on-ones. He’s going to be involved on both ends. He’s a huge impact for us.”

Despite finding himself in early foul trouble, Porzingis did an excellent job defending Bam Adebayo and showcased his elite rim protection with two blocks.

“Just being aggressive,” Jaylen Brown said on Porzingis. “I don’t think he was looking for calls, especially being on the road, and he was embracing that physicality of the game, and he came out with that mindset, and that’s what we need him to do every night.”

Massive second quarter buries Miami

While the Celtics held to just 12 points in the first quarter, they found themselves with only a nine-point lead at the end of the frame.

While their defense was strong, Boston’s offense encountered early challenges, hindering them from establishing a more commanding lead. Nevertheless, it was only a matter of time before they found their rhythm.

Fuelled by Jayson Tatum’s 13 points and Derrick White’s 12, the Celtics dominated the second quarter, outscoring Miami 42-27. Boston’s 42 points in the quarter marked the third-highest scoring output in franchise playoff history and exceeded Miami’s entire first-half total of 39.

“I think some of it was turnovers,” Joe Mazzulla said postgame on what sparked the big quarter. “Some of it was our transition and our pace. And just able to get some easy shots. Able to move the ball and get to the second side.”

The onslaught propelled Boston to a commanding 25-point lead, which sealed Miami’s fate.

Although the hosts made a run in the third quarter, Boston responded and ultimately won the quarter 24-22 behind some timely buckets from Jaylen Brown and White.

No answer for Jayson Tatum

In the fourth quarter, Tatum hit Caleb Martin with a nasty behind-the-back cross-over, leaving the ladder in a three-point stance.

Number zero was in his bag.

The five-time All-Star was a man amongst boys, leading the game in both rebounds (11) and assists (six) and tied for the top scoring mark with 22 points — and he did so in pretty fashion.

This marked Tatum’s third playoff game with at least 20 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists without committing a turnover. He also secured his ninth double-double in his last ten playoff matchups against the Heat.

Adding to his achievements, the three-time All-NBA wing surpassed Tony Parker on the list of most playoff points by a player 26 or under. He now joins the ranks of LeBron James and Kobe Bryant as the only players with 3,000 playoff points before turning 27.