Post Game - Celtics vs. Miami Heat - Saturday, April 27, 2024 - Game 3 Eastern Quarterfinals (W 2-1)

https://www.espn.com/nba/boxscore/_/gameId/401655101

That was more like it, our defense got after it. We really exposed Tyler Herro both ends, I don’t think he likes being covered by Tatum or Brown and we have to keep attacking him on offense and go right at the skinny twerp. Zinger with a good bounce back game, much better ball movement and many easier shots off the crisper passing. Good job by Joe and the staff correcting mistakes from last game.

Great job on defense. Nice adjustment to correct for those open "dare" shots. If we continue to play D like that there is no way they can beat us. We have to have the same intensity and physicality tomorrow night.

KP definitely stepped it up yesterday. We have to have production from him. He was great on both ends.

The J's were outstanding (except for bricking FTs). However, my player of the game is my man D White. He just makes plays and quietly does his job. Loved that follow up on Jaylen's missed FT. Hit some timely threes and just plays solid D.

Great job by all, I like it when the offense is spread out the way it was last night. And I want Derrick to get the praise he deserves, he worked his butt off last night. Glad to hear KP acknowledge that that was probably his worst game the other night as a Celtic. Superstars don't usually throw themselves under the buss like that. I know it is the playoffs, I know they will swallow the whistle more, but someone is going to get hurt out there if they let as much go by as they did last night. Both teams were physical, glad to see the Celtics respond to all that physicality and still beat them big.

So, Tyler Herro is crying about being “held” and pushed/??? My my, does he watch he teammate Bam, he shoves everyone everywhere. I cannot wait for Monday

It wasn't pretty but there are no bad wins so I'll take it.

I felt that this was a must win game for Boston.  Most importantly they were able to gain the homecourt advantage back and secondly a win on the road removes some doubt that they know what to do to win.

The defense was championship level.  There would be no repeat of the ridiculous outlier game 2 when the Heat went bananas from deep.   The engagement was immediate off the tip.  The Celtics took away their space and contested shots all over the court.  The result was a 9-28 night from the Heat.  

The Celtics defense won this game as their offense was below par.  KP stepped up and made shots and D White was involved from the jump.  The refs are letting a lot of contact go so the Celtics have to play through that challenge and still execute at a high level.

My very happy stat was the low number of TOV.  The team stat was just 6 for the game.  Our 3 point shooting was not good (11-37)  or 29.7% but our overall FG shooting was not bad at 47.6%  One thing that is still an issue on offense is our lack of pace.  The formula seems pretty direct.  When the double comes get off the ball. Overall, I thought that our shot selection could have been better.

KP made two great passes (assists) one on a backdoor cut to Jaylen for a two handed dunk and other on a give and go to Derrick White.  Maybe I am putting too much on Kristaps but he stills need to react better when the double and triple teams come calling.  He missed at least 2 opportunities to hit open guys in the corner when the Heat brought extra help.  He tried to play through it but the correct decision was for him to move the ball to an open shooter.

Jaylen Brown has never been a great FT shooter but this year he has become significantly below average.  I mentioned this earlier in the year but he needs to figure out what is not working.  Mostly it seems to be on his first free throw.  Often, short and flat.  He was 0-1 the other night.  Aside from that he has played very well in all 3 games and is a very efficient scorer in game 3 (11-20 (55%)

Both Sam and Payton got back to their regular rotation minutes and Big Al just continues to be solid at both ends of the court.

I am still waiting to see if CJ gives up his 8-man security blanket.  LK played 5 minutes.

The problem is the free throw shooting is becoming contagious. JT missed a bunch of them the other night, Lack of focus, definitely, as he is usually pretty good. I was ticked off when they had that tech to shoot and he took it. DWhite should have been shooting that. He had missed a few by then tie to let someone else take it, even Jrue. Team game remember???? This is an issue as Miami will continue to foul Jaylen and take a chance that he will miss at least one. Time for some practice or change of shooting style. Red would yell, "BEND YOUR DAMN KNEES" !!!!

Rosalie

Free throw shooting can be the difference in winning or losing especially in a closely contested game.

The main guy to get to the line guy for the Heat is jimmy Butler (7.7 FTA at 85.8%) but without him the Heat have not gotten to the line that much.

So far in this series the Celtics are averaging 19.3 FTA but only shooting 75.9%. The Heat are only taking 12.7 FTA per game while shooting 81.6% The Celtics are still winning that battle with 14.7 FT makes compared to only 10.3 for the Heat. The Celtics are a +4.4 points from the line.

In 3 games the Heat have been whistled for an average of 16.3 fouls per game and the Celtics are at 14.3

Yes, Derrick White should have taken the FT shot but the pecking order said NO.