By Darryl Harding Sr –
As karma would have it the Celtics start the 2024 playoffs right where 2023 playoffs left off, against the Miami Heat. Celtics faithful grimace as they’re reminded of a seventh game with a hobbled Jason Tatum and a bench unable to handle the heat and “playoff” Jimmy Butler.
That was last year, this is a brand new day. 2024 we find the Heat understaffed with Jimmy Butler out for game one. The Celtics fired on all cylinders from beginning to end of this game, never relinquishing the lead and starting off on a 14-0 run. Although no one player had a ridiculous scoring game the ball was shared and distributed in a way that a championship team should.
Six Celtics players in double figures and a triple double from Jason Tatum, with 23 points, 10 assists and 10 rebounds. The Celtics managed to hit a barrage of threes. 22-49, setting a playoff record for most threes made.
With a bit of a let down in the third quarter, offensively and defensively, the Celtics still managed to maintain the lead and ended up vanquishing the Heat in game 1. 114 – 94. Definitely looking for Revenge after last year’s game 7 loss the Celtics, consistently applied pressure to an injured Miami Heat team.
Protecting home court advantage is of the utmost importance considering Celtics hold the advantage throughout the playoffs. Even though the Heat outscored the Celtics in the paint by 20 points. more points from the foul line as well as from the three-point line kept the Celtics in a comfortable lead throughout the game.
“It’s about doing the most simple things under higher duress,” said coach Joe Mazzulla, “that’s the key to winning.” With about a minute left Caleb Martin had a hard file on Jason Tatum knocking him to the ground.
For a brief moment visions of a hobbling game 7 Jason Tatum entered the minds of Celtics fans but before anybody could even worry Jason Tatum jumped back up and headed to the free throw line unaffected.
This dynamic is a huge difference in attitude concerning this year’s playoffs. Celtics hope to continue their domination on Wednesday for game two at 7:00
NewsTalk New England 