(Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports)
Final: Celtics 114, Miami 94 - Tatum drops triple-double in wire-to-wire win
BOSTON CELTICS vs MIAMI HEAT
Eastern Conference first round, Game 1
1 p.m. - ABC
Line: Boston -14
INJURIES
Boston: Luke Kornet (calf, OUT)
Miami: Jimmy Butler (knee, OUT), Terry Rozier (neck, OUT), Josh Richardson (shoulder, OUT), Duncan Robinson (back, QUESTIONABLE)
Season Series:
Boston came out cold from the field, shooting 5-13 from the restricted area in the first quarter, but second-chance points helped keep them alive, thanks in part to Oshae Brissett. Boston picked it up in the second quarter but Miami got hot from deep to hold on to their lead. Then Jayson Tatum started attacking the basket and Jaylen Brown turned up the defense to give Boston a five-point halftime lead. Miami stayed hot but the teams went back and forth in the third and the game was tied early in the fourth. But then Derrick White took over. Sprinkle in some tough Tatum and Brown buckets and the Celtics held Miami off for the win.
Boston went nearly nine minutes without missing in the first quarter, fueled by Kristaps Porzingis, Jayson Tatum, and Jaylen Brown, to take a 13-point lead after one. The second quarter was played even, with both teams scoring 35. Boston kept up the scoring but clamped down defensively to extend the lead to 23. The lead got up to 34 and it was garbage time after that.
Kristaps Porzingis scored 11 in the first quarter to give Boston an early four-point lead. They pushed that to 10 in the second behind 10 in the quarter from Jayson Tatum, and the lead settled at nine at halftime. Miami, especially Tyler Herro, got some shots to fall in the third and cut into the lead, but Jrue Holiday helped Boston hold onto a seven-point lead heading into the fourth. Herro helped cut the lead to two, but Boston got the stops they needed and held on.
THINGS I’M LOOKING FOR
1: Methodical: I’m sticking to my playoff theme. Part one is the methodical approach that is uninfluenced by the moment. It’s about proper execution based on what the defense is doing. It’s about making the right read, making the right pass, and taking the right shots without the ego. It’s not about who is the star and what stars should do, it’s about everyone doing what it takes to win.
2: Ruthless: Part two is not giving in to the result of everything I said in part one. If they do all that stuff, they’ll probably build a good lead. Ruthlessness is continuing to execute even if the lead builds to 15, 20, or 30. That doesn’t mean a Miami run is always going to be Boston’s fault. They will make runs no matter what. But if the Celtics take a ruthless approach, they will stop those runs, go on runs of their own, and ultimately continue to increase their lead.
3: Rebound: As far as the basketball stuff on the floor, the number one thing Boston needs to do is limit Miami to one shot. They do not have a great offense even with Butler, and without Rozier, there will be a bunch of non-shooters on the floor for Miami. The Celtics will be good with a few different guys getting shots, and if all goes according to plan, those guys will miss a lot of shots. If the Celtics can clear the defensive rebound, they’ll not only get easy buckets in transition, they’ll prevent Miami from winning the possession battle. The Heat’s best chance at hanging with Boston offensively getting multiple looks on their possessions.
4: Attack Jovic and Herro: If they start the same lineup as they did against Chicago, then Jovic will probably start out defending Porzingis. If that's the case, then I’m looking for Adebayo’s man to space out to the opposite corner while Jovic and Herro’s man run pick-and-roll. Neither are strong defenders, so that will draw some help and open up advantages for the Celtics.
5: Control the pace: Miami plays faster without Butler, so be mindful of that, get back in transition, and control the pace of the game. A lot of that starts on the offensive end. If the Celtics get good shots and make baskets, then they can set their defense. If they rush shots and go iso too often, then Miami will have a chance to run and that opens Boston up to transition 3-pointers and offensive rebounds.
6: Jump on them early: Miami played Friday night, traveled yesterday, and are playing the early game today. Boston might be dealing with a bit of rust, but Miami should have the tired legs. Jump on them early and test their wind.
Follow along with my thoughts as the game goes on. They’ll show up below and in the comments section, so hop in and share your opinion as well.