With fans all aboard on the playoff run, the Celtics came out flat in a game that was ripe for their taking. Despite missing 3 key players (Wade, Whiteside, Andersen) and coming off a heartbreaking loss vs Milwaukke, the Heat came into Boston and beat the Celtics, 93-86. This is the type of loss that makes you realize that as far as Boston has come, they still rely heavily on hustle over talent. Here’s what we liked and didn’t like.
UP
1. 4th quarter
Miami let its foot off the gas for just a second and the Celtics went crazy, out-scoring the Heat 24-11 in the final frame. Led by mostly reserves and Marcus Smart, the Celtics used suffocating defense to fluster the Heat, and sliced the lead down to as low as four. The 4th quarter rally just made it more clear how easily the Celtics could have won this game if the energy and intensity was actually there the whole game.
2. Phil Pressey
He was one of the main igniters in that 4th quarter, and he did a great job of pushing the pace and playing some smothering defense. He did have one really costly turnover late in the game, but, all in all, he played well for a guy that usually never gets in the game. He finished with 11 points, 6 assists, and 5 rebounds.
3. Marcus Smart
He shot horribly (1/8), and in that first half had a tough time covering Goran Dragic. But that fourth quarter was something special. Smart was soaring to the rim for rebounds, locking down Dragic, and if he just got one of those tough three’s to fall, the place would have exploded. Smart has all the ingredients to become a really good player, and if his offensive game becomes HALF of his defensive game, he’ll be an all-star for years.
4. Jae Crowder
He was our best offensive threat all night (16 points), and he was another guy who was part of that late run. However, he’s listed here because in a postgame interview he called the loss “sickening,” and personally went out and apologized to his fans on Twitter. The notion isn’t something that has never been done before, but it’s awesome to see a young guy really want to win and play his heart out every single night. If Boston does anything this offseason, they need to make sure Jae Crowder is wearing green for years to come.
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DOWN
1. Kiss the 6th seed goodbye (most likely)
The loss drops the Celtics 2 games behind the Heat, but because they also lost the tiebreaker, it’s basically 2.5 games. They’re also now 4 games behind the Bucks who are on the schedule in a couple of weeks. Milwaukee currently owns the tiebreaker on them, too. So unless both those teams collapse late in the season, the Celtics best bet is to hold their ground, and try to solidify the 8th seed.
2. Goran Dragic
Besides for that final quarter he absolutely killed us last night. He’s a blur in transition, knows exactly how to pick his spots offensively, and is an absolute killer in the pick and roll. This was a game where the lack of rim protection really hurt us. Dragic finished with 22 points, 5 rebounds, and 7 assists.
3. The First Three Quarters
No, Energy, No Passion, No Heart. Most of us were in our living rooms doing this:
Brad Stevens in his living room right now like: pic.twitter.com/FeG4J0JOop
— KWAPT (@KWAPT) March 22, 2015
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4. IT back, but not really back
Isaiah Thomas played his first game in more than two weeks, but he didn’t look himself. Not much energy, lazy crossovers, and couldn’t buy a shot. He blamed it more on not having the legs, than his back. He vowed to play better on Friday, and he better considering the Knicks are the easiest team we’ll face for the rest of the season.
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