The Celtics found themselves up double digits in another playoff game and found another way to fuck it up. Up 13 at half the Celtics had an absolute nightmare of a third quarter where they lose by 20 points. Having 7 turnovers alone in that quarter and on defense giving up a dunk on every other posession.
The Celtics also could not figure out Miami’s zone in the third quarter. You would think to yourself “The Raptors played zone last series against the Celtics so they ought to be prepared for what the Heat are doing,” but the thought you just gave yourself is far from the truth. It seems as tonight the Celtics had never seen a zone defense before.
The Celtics had a stretch from the third to the fourth quarter of missing 11 straight threes which feeds to the Miami defense. Celtics also never had a guy high post until halfway into the fourth. After playing basketball your entire life and still have not learned to have a guy high post in the zone is quite sad.
The Celtics could easily be up 2-0 in this series and I feel like they have enough talent to beat the Miami Heat, but there mental toughness is no where to be seen. In the 5 Celtics playoff losses this post season they have lost by: 1, 7, 3, 3, 5. They just want to put me in pain is what it seems. Our offense grows stagnant in the fourth and we just go ISO ball with Tatum and Walker. Walker can be too small in these moments and Tatum can be too casual with the ball. You would also think we would have learned from the previous series about blowing leads, but you would be wrong yet again.
The boys better come out with some desperation on Saturday night or they could easily get swept with the series ending Monday night in embarrassing fashion. Maybe Boston’s savior, Gordon Hayward, could be ready and give the Cs the extra boost they need to get some confidence back and advance to their first finals since 2010. With Gordan being gone we see an obvious drop off in depth and he helps so much in the zone offense playing that high post possession. Gordon if you are reading this PLEASE PLAY. For me. Please. I do not want to lose to the freaking Heat.
With Game 3 coming up Saturday night pay close attention to the desperation Boston will bring to the game, along with zone adjustments. I swear if we blow another double digit lead or still somehow can not figure out the Miami zone I might have a heartattack. They have given me massive headaches the past two games, so a game three loss could be the cause of my death.
I will not lose faith in my squad though. I believe we can comeback and I just want to tell CELTICS NATION TO RISE UP!!!!! I ride with my boys forever and I hope to God we do not blow another double digit lead! Go Celtics!