In a decisive turn following their Game 2 upset loss, the Boston Celtics reclaimed control in their first-round series against the Miami Heat with a resounding 104-84 victory in Game 3.
After conceding a staggering 23 3-pointers in their previous matchup, the Celtics exhibited a marked improvement defensively, stifling the Heat’s offense throughout the game.
Boston’s key players, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, said coach Joe Mazzulla challenged them to play with more defensive intensity following Miami’s impressive three-point shooting performance in Game 2. Boston’s defensive adjustments, proved pivotal as they limited Miami to just 9-of-28 shooting from beyond the arc, a significant decline from their previous outing’s record-setting performance.
Key players Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown emphasized the importance of defensive intensity following their Game 2 setback. Tatum scored with 22 points and 11 rebounds and 6 assists,while Brown led all scorers with 23 points.
“Everybody knows how talented we are. But can we be the tougher, harder-playing team?” said Tatum. “If we can combine that with the talent, it’s going to be hard to beat us.
The Celtics swiftly answered Mazzulla’s call for defensive intensity, with guard Jrue Holiday and his teammates asserting themselves from the outset. They held the Heat to a mere three points in the opening 6 minutes and 46 seconds of play. Boston maintained their defensive dominance throughout the first quarter, limiting Miami to just 12 points on 5-of-21 shooting. Mazzulla described their defensive effort as “a physical, tough … rock fight,” highlighting the team’s commitment to imposing their will on the defensive end.
Miami’s offensive struggles were epitomized by guard Tyler Herro, who was limited to 15 points on 5-of-16 shooting, a stark contrast to his standout performance in Game 2.
Spoelstra acknowledged Boston’s physical dominance, stating, “They were the more physical team. They bodied us [and] bullied us.” He highlighted how the Celtics’ aggressive play disrupted the Heat’s offensive rhythm, preventing them from executing their intended actions and sets effectively.
The Heat’s inability to generate offense was compounded by Boston’s effective conversion of turnovers into points, outscoring Miami 24-4 in that regard.
Despite the absence of key players such as Jimmy Butler and Terry Rozier due to injury, Heat coach Erik Spoelstra remained optimistic about his team’s chances, emphasizing the need for both effort and execution moving forward.
With Game 4 looming, the Celtics have asserted themselves as a formidable force in the series, leveraging their defensive prowess to seize momentum against a resilient Miami squad.
Game 4 is scheduled for Monday in Miami, where the Heat will look to mount a comeback and even the series against the determined Celtics.
