How the Boston Celtics fell in a 0-2 hole: 5 factors that made Miami Heat repeat on the road
It was another home heartbreak for Jason Tatum and the Boston Celtics as Jimmy Butler found another way to will the Miami Heat to another come-from-behind victory.
With the loss, the Celtics are now officially in a must-win situation in Game 3, as another loss will almost bury their chances of advancing to the NBA Finals.
Here are five factors that worked against the Boston Celtics:
#1. Grant Williams poked the bear
Just when the Boston Celtics thought they found an antidote to Jimmy Butler in Grant Williams, the ploy blew up in their face. The trash-talking Celtic defender further ignited the Miami Heat ace.
The seldom-used Williams engaged Butler in a literal faceoff trying to get him off rhythm. But instead of getting hot under the collar with William’s antics, Jimmy Butler caught fire on both ends.
Jimmy "Freakin’" Butler, as referred to by the TV analysts covering the game, was his usual self. He ignited a killer 20-7 Miami run that ended the hopes of the Boston Celtics to tie the series.
#2. Another zero fourth-quarter field goal for Jayson Tatum
For the second straight game, Miami’s defense on Jason Tatum could not be more effective as Boston’s leading scorer was held to just six points all on free throws. Although he managed to have a decent stat line of 34 points, 13 rebounds, and 8 assists, Tatum could not buy a basket in the fourth quarter when it mattered the most.
Compounding the woes for Boston was the inability of Jalen Brown to put up his usual numbers and be of help when Tatum misfired on all cylinders in the clutch.
#3. Miami’s “Killer Zone”
Switching defenses most of the time in the playoffs, the Heat turned to their vaunted zone defense in Game 2 every time the Celtics scored in bunches.
Coach Erik Spoelsta’s ploy was specifically effective in throwing Boston’s offensive rhythm off for the majority of the time it was implemented.
The Boston Celtics countered with high-pick-and-roll plays. These mostly resulted in uncontested shots by the likes of Malcolm Brogdon, Derrick White, Robert Williams, and even Grant Williams.
However, the zone took Jason Tatum out of the equation in the fourth quarter, as he failed to bail his Celtics out of another heartbreaking loss.
#4. The Miami Heat weathered the storms
Not only did the Miami Heat weather the storm once or twice in the ballgame, they did it on multiple occasions to show their resiliency.
Down by double digits numerous times in Game 2, the Heat banked on their defense and hassle plays to complete another comeback win (their sixth in the playoffs when down by 10 points or more).
By being an eight-seed but still slugging it out deep into the playoffs, the Heat has proven that they are ready to go all the way in all weathers.
#5. The Boston Celtics lost in the game of runs
The seesaw battle saw both teams exchanging runs quarter after quarter. It started with a 9-2 Miami run in the early first period as Boston resorted to mostly one-on-ones on offense.
But when the Celtics decided to go small ball by resting Robert Williams III, Tatum started to explode. Boston countered with their own 12-2 run to end the first quarter with a 25-24 lead. Aided by 10 straight points to open the second quarter, the Boston Celtics extended the run to a devastating 21-2 to extend their lead to 11 at 35-24.
Just when the Celtics were about to break the game wide open, Caleb Martin got hot and orchestrated a counter 19-2 run of their own to grab the 54-50 upper hand at halftime.
Scoring only two points in the second quarter, Jayson Tatum took matters into his own hands to score 10 straight points. He added five more in that quarter to tow Boston to a suffocating 21-2 run to give Boston an eight-point lead going into the payoff period.
But in the end, Jimmy Butler and the Heat re-established their might and finished the game with a 20-7 run that buried the Celtics in a 0-2 hole in their Western Conference finals matchup. However, all is not yet lost for Boston, as Jason Tatum and the Celtics have been better on the road in the entire playoffs so far.
With a 4-2 road record, Boston Celtics will try to score a breakthrough victory in Miami against the Heat who are still perfect at home.