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Game 1 takeaway: Disappointing third quarter cost C vs. Heat originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
For the second straight playoff series, the Boston Celtics needed to make up for the loss in the first game at home.
The No. 8 seed Miami Heat stunned the No. 2 seed C in Wednesday’s showdown at TD Garden. They took a nine-point lead into the half but had no answers for Heat coach Erik Spoelstra’s adjustments in the third quarter. Miami scored a tremendous 46 points in the frame and held on late to defeat Boston, 123–116.
Heat star Jimmy Butler continued his stellar postseason run with a game-high 35 points. Bam Adebayo added his 20 points
The Celtics are down 1-0 to start the Eastern Conference Finals.
Jason Tatum led the Celtics with 30 points, while Jaylen Brown scored 22 points in a losing effort.
Game 2 is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. ET Friday at TD Garden. But before we turn the page, here are three quick takeaways from Wednesday’s defeat.
a disastrous third quarter
The Celtics won three out of four quarters versus The Heat, but the one quarter they lost was nothing short of disastrous.
Miami erased a 12-point deficit and outscored Boston 46–25 in the third quarter. That’s the second most points the Celtics have ever allowed in one quarter of a playoff game, and the most the Heat have allowed in any quarter in the playoffs.
There was no resistance for Si on the defensive end as he allowed the Heat to shoot 18-of-26 from the floor in the frame. And once again, we have a timeout controversy as Celtics coach Joe Majulla chose not to call any during Miami’s run.
“We won three out of four quarters. We lost one quarter because of our sense of urgency,” Majulla said after the defeat. “We have to raise the level of our urgency and our mindset.”
The Celtics may have played a more complete game, but allowing 46 points in one quarter is absolutely unacceptable. This cost them a win at home and they will hope it doesn’t come back to haunt them later in the series.
Heat Makes a Strong Statement
Don’t underestimate Miami. We heard that message over and over again this series, and the Heat showed us why with a gritty Game 1 performance.
It all started with Jimmy Butler. The six-time All-Star was the best player on the floor in Game 1, matching a game-high 35 points (12-25 FG) to go along with seven assists and five rebounds.
The stat that jumps off the page is his six steals. He is the only player in NBA history along with Allen Iverson and Michael Jordan to have multiple playoff games with 35+ points, 5+ rebounds, 5+ assists and 5+ steals. (via Stathead), He is the first player in Heat history with 35 points and six steals in a playoff game.
While Butler led the charge, the Heat avoided costly mistakes and forced the Celtics to make several mistakes down the stretch. Boston had 10 turnovers in the second half.
c president brad stevens Much talked about discipline of Miami From Game 1 onwards.
Stevens said, “I think the team we’re playing with is the best, probably in the league, at not beating ourselves up.” “They don’t take possession, they are very aggressive defensively and they play with a purpose when on the offensive.”
That was the case on Wednesday night as well, and that’s why the Heat shouldn’t be overlooked, regardless of what the oddsmakers say.
Smart did everything for the C’s in Game 1, but he stole the show with his passing in the first half.
The veteran point guard handed out 10 assists before halftime, tying his career-high for assists in a half and breaking Rajon Rondo’s franchise record for most assists in a half in the playoffs.
Smart contributed 11 of the Celtics’ 22 total assists in the game. He initially focused on setting up his teammates, but he turned his attention to scoring in the second half and did not see favorable results. He only had one assist in the entire half and, as our Phil Perry points out, struggled during Boston’s third-quarter slump.
It was a mixed bag for Smart on Wednesday, but his strong passing is encouraging for the C’s going forward. He should bring a pass-first approach to Game 2 on Friday.