Following one of the worst quarters in playoff, if not franchise, history, ultimately leading to a surprising 118-107 loss to the Miami Heat in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals, Boston Celtics fans have every reason to be disappointed. First and foremost, you’re fans. Riding the emotional wave of victory and defeat comes with the territory. Plus those highs and lows get higher and lower as the journeys lengthens and the stakes increase. It’s all part of the unspoken, unwritten agreement of sports fandom.
However, Celtics fans should not be disheartened. At no point should panic set in with those who #BleedGreen as to Boston’s chances against the Heat. Make no mistake, the Heat brought just that, and then some, after a hot start to Game 1 for Boston. But, to borrow a quote from a famously successful athlete, albeit one who himself is used to getting to the semi-finals but not delivering, Celtics fans concerned that this is a repeat of the 2020 Eastern Conference Finals in the bubble need to “R-E-L-A-X”. Your team is more than capable of turning things around and beating the Heat. Here are five reasons to take heart and be confident headed into a pivotal Game 2.
THE BUTLER DID IT - Several members of the Heat turned it on in Game 1, but nobody played like Jimmy Butler, whose overall numbers were off the charts: 41 points on 12/19 shooting. 17/18 at the charity stripe. Plus 9 rebounds (five offensive), five assists, four steals and three blocks (one of which Jayson Tatum is still stunned by). That’s a game for the ages. Butler is a killer, and seems to rise to the big occasion, especially against Boston. He could repeat that, or come close, given that he has the highest plus-minus of anyone in the playoffs at +143. But to think he’ll play in that stratosphere nightly is a bit wishful, even if he’s had three 40+ point games in these playoffs. He’ll get his, find his way to the free throw line and be a thorn in Boston’s side all series. But to play Jordan or LeBron-esque consistently might be expecting a bit much.
SOME REST FOR THE WICKED - Miami was coming off of three more days rest after icing the 76ers the previous Thursday, only going six games in a far less grueling series than Boston had with Milwaukee. Their energy showed in that 39-14 third quarter, when they ran the floor with fresh legs while the Celtics got sloppy, turned the ball over, short-armed threes, missed free throws and seemed as though they didn’t have any reserve fuel tanks to tap into. Both teams now get their standard day off and then it’s right back to Game 2. Not to say the Celtics will al be fresh as lettuce for Game 2, but any hangover from the Bucks series will be gone, and now it’s all about Miami.
POTENTIAL REINFORCEMENTS - The Celtics were without not one but TWO starters for Game 1 in Marcus Smart and Al Horford. Smart was expected as he was questionable with a foot sprain. Horford’s absence due to COVID health and safety protocols was a surprise, given that he and the team only found out hours before tipoff. In their absence Grant Williams and Derrick White started, and gave it their all. Ultimately White’s offensive issues continued, and Williams, coming off a legendary Game 7 against Milwaukee, turned back into a muscular pumpkin. Williams was seen having words with coach Ime Udoka at one point as frustrations mounted for Boston in that third quarter to forget. The status of both Smart and Horford remains unclear, but there’s a good chance Smart returns to the starting lineup, and Horford isn’t officially out yet either. Each makes a massive difference, especially Horford, as the team’s plus/minus swing when he’s out there is massive. Also, anything to limit Aaron Nesmith’s playing time in crucial playoff moments, as good as his shot blocking and energy may have been, will benefit the Celtics against a veteran squad like Miami.
ADJUSTING RECENT HISTORY - These Boston Celtics are all about adjustments. They learn from their mistakes and bounce back mightily time and again. Their defensive tenacity and resilience are a testament to their conditioning, character and ultimately coaching. And rookie coach Ime Udoka will be looked upon to help this team turn things around quickly, erasing the bitter taste of the Game 1 collapse and any comparison to the last ECF series between these two teams. Whether you look to the season, where the Celtics bounced back from out of the playoffs in the middle of January to finish as the conference’s second seed, going 31-10 over their second half...to the series against the Nets where the Celtics survived Game 1, winning on a last second layup by Jayson Tatum only to win Game 2 more handily...or the three times the Celtics bounced back from demoralizing losses to the Bucks (Games 1, 3 and 5) in their best of seven series...these Celtics come back and come back emphatically, road or home. And there’s every reason to believe they can do so again. Miami adjusted at halftime to clog up the paint and fluster the Celtics as the Heat took over. Time for Boston to return the adjustment serve as they have time and again.
THE DYNAMIC DUO - Coach Udoka made no bones about it in his Game 1 postgame presser; Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, Boston’s two superstars, need to play better. Their coach said it. They said it. And that’s the bottom line. While the two combined for 53 points in Game 1, it obviously wasn’t enough, especially given the absences of Smart and Horford and the speed, energy and adjustments of the Heat. But it’s not just about the points, as both players lost their way in the quarter that shall not be named. In 39 minutes together on court they logged a lousy -7.4 net rating (link - https://twitter.com/itsbrianbarrett/status/1526884805505437696?s=20&t=YMKgOH87Gj_CGx2Anhv0oQ), just unacceptable in any game of this magnitude. Tatum only had eight points in the second half, and had six turnovers in the third quarter. SIX! Not to mention getting multiple shots blocked, triggering memories of the end of Game 1 of the ECF two years ago. Combine that with their ghastly 2-15 shooting in the period of doom and, well, Boston’s stars know it’s on them to rise to the occasion, be team leaders and, as Mac Jones so often says, “do a better job”.