Tatum and Brown lead the Celtics 3-2 in the series: on Friday at home, they can win the first series for the title since 2010. The Heat return to the wall. Spoelstra: “We can still do something historical”
A spark and Boston returns a stone’s throw from its lost paradise. The first Finals since 2010 have arrived, an away victory, after the 93-80 with which Udoka’s team won in Miami in Game 5 of the Eastern Final. The first chance to win him back, this paradise that the Celtics traditionally belong to, is Friday at the TD Garden. “We will play in front of our fans, but we have already lost at home, so we should show the same determination in the last two games,” warns coach Udoka. There is his hand behind this run to the Boston playoffs, behind this victory in Miami built on the defense and talent of Jaylen Brown (25 points) and Jayson Tatum (22 points, 12 rebounds and 9 assists), in a group where every player who enters offers every drop of talent he has. The Heat are cornered, bruised and disappointed, but they make no excuses. “We have to think that in Boston we will have the opportunity to do something historic” is the motivation used by coach Spoelstra to relaunch his team.
defence
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Boston won on defense. “This is what took us this far, the pressure and physicality that we put on our opponents,” explained Udoka. The Heat finished with 31.9% from the field, holding just 38 points in the second half. The attack was dealt with by Brown and Tatum, the ones who were said to have stomped their feet and separated in January and who are now the pillars of this company. Tatum was held back by a recurring problem in his neck and right shoulder, yet he was close to triple double. Brown fired in the fourth quarter, closing the scoring with 13 of his 25 points. The two stars are just the tip of the iceberg: Al Horford (16 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists) regenerates, Marcus Smart makes himself felt even when he fails to be effective, Robert Williams is a wall close to the iron, Derrick White (14 points and 5 assists) is ready to do anything to win. “It is important to have such a group, where there are many players ready to contribute,” Horford recalled. The strength of the group is the true essence of these Celtics, the extra equipment of a team that has discovered itself in the race during the season, which has grown up at the gates of the finals. Coming up with a win in front of your fans would be the perfect ending to this chapter, before thinking about the next one.
In trouble
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“Let’s not make excuses: Boston beat us”. Spoelstra says this often, but it’s obvious Miami is in trouble because his best bits are bruised. Jimmy Butler (13 points and 4/18 from the field) has lost in explosiveness and determination, Kyle Lowry (no points and no assists at 24 ‘) fails to score in the slightest. With them Miami has lost its certainties, also because Bam Adebayo (18 points and 10 rebounds) is unable to climb the rankings and PJ Tucker’s commitment is not enough. In game-5 too many arcing errors (7/45) and too predictable attack, especially when the Boston defense leveled up in the second half. “I’m happy with the shots we made, but I think in the end the many mistakes we made weighed on our defense,” said Spoelstra. The coach prefers to wait impatiently for the first game of the season that the Heat will have to face in these playoffs: “We really have to take advantage of this moment: we have a group of warriors.” A group that, despite the injuries, will have to find a way to make another deal and bring the series back to Miami for Game-7.
The match
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Balanced first half, with 4 changes of command, a novelty for this series so balanced but at the same time with one-way matches. In the second half, which began with the Heat leading 42-37, we return to the old scenario: Boston closes the third quarter at 69-58, with an open series of 10-0 and Miami which does not produce only 16 points with 4/23 shots in the period. Brown and Tatum, with an amazing start to the fourth period, are behind Boston 83-60 with 8’21 left, while the attack of the Heat continues to fail to understand how to break through the opponent’s wall. Adebayo tries with 8 points in a row, but the Celtics are very good at responding and securing the game. On Friday, in front of their fans, they will try to secure the series. And to return to these finals that have been missing for too long.
You love me:Adebayo 18 (8/15 out of two, 2/2 free), Vincent 15, Butler 13. Rebounds: Tucker 11. Assist: Butler 4.
Boston: Brown 25 (5/10, 5/9 from three, 0/1 tl), Tatum 22, Horford 16. Rebounds: Tatum 12. Assist: Tatum 9.
