In Game 3, the Celtics defense answers the call with a rout of the Heat.

It was understandable to be curious about how things would unfold in the crucial Game 3 after the most unexpected outcome of the playoffs so far — the undermanned, eighth-seeded Heat defeating the first-seeded Celtics in Game 2 to tie their first-round series.
Would Boston bounce back from the puzzling defeat and look like the team that won the East by 14 games during the regular season? Or had head coach Erik Spoelstra and his tenacious team discovered a pattern they might use to be the series’ spoiler for a consecutive postseason?

Without a doubt, the former was the response.
The Celtics were significantly more aggressive and combative defensively on Saturday night, stifling the Heat in a 104-84 Game 3 victory to grab a 2-1 series lead after giving up 23 3-pointers in their Game 2 defeat.
In Miami on Monday is Game 4.
After seeing Miami blow out Game 2, Boston’s Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown said that coach Joe Mazzulla pushed them to play with more defensive ferocity.
“Everyone is aware of our abilities. “However, are we able to be the more resilient and intense team?” questioned Tatum, who concluded with 22 points, 11 rebounds, and 6 assists. “If we can combine that with the talent, it’s going to be hard to beat us.”Is it possible for us to basically punch first every game instead of responding first? We have to remain awake for the exam each and every night.”
In response to Mazzulla’s challenge, the Celtics moved quickly. During the opening 6 minutes, 46 seconds of play, guard Jrue Holiday and his teammates closed in against the Heat’s attack, giving up only three points. Just 12 points on 5-for-21 shooting were allowed by Boston in the first quarter, which Mazzulla referred to as “a physical, tough… rock fight.”
Boston was willing to push up further on that side of the ball in order to generate those types of defensive scenarios. Brown, who scored a career-high 23 points, said that after Miami’s record-breaking performance in career 2, the Celtics entered the game with a few guidelines.
“No daring shots. Regard those folks’ abilities with respect. Since they play in the NBA, they may become heated at any time,” Brown said. “We just wanted to make it uncomfortable for them.”
The outcome: Three days before, Miami had shot 23 of 43 from 3-point range; but, in the final stretch, they were 9 of 28. The playmaker for the Heat, Tyler Herro, who had one of his best games ever in Game 2, scoring 24 points and dishing out 14 assists, was troubled the whole time, going only 5-of-16 for 15 points and four turnovers. Based on contested looks, he shot 0 for 5 (ESPN Stats & Information).
Including in the playoffs, the Heat’s 84 points in a game were their lowest of the whole season.
“They were the squad with greater strength. The Heat were often forced out of their offensive setups and moves by Boston’s aggression, Spoelstra said. “They bodied us [and] bullied us.”
Boston routinely converted their stronger defense into offense on Saturday, taking advantage of Miami’s mistakes to score 24 points. In comparison, the Heat only gained four points off the Celtics’ errors.
Miami, who eliminated Boston as the underdog in the previous year’s conference finals, would find it challenging to mount a challenge this time around if the Celtics keep up the intensity they showed in Game 3. Jimmy Butler, the star wing, is still out due to an MCL injury, while Terry Rozier, the guard, is out due to neck spasms. The Heat, who at times found it difficult to score, will now have fewer offensive options while facing one of the top defense teams in the NBA.
“Enough is here to finish the job,” Spoelstra said. “We know we have to play hard, and we also have to play well.”

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