By Darryl Harding Sr –
Back in Championship form, the Celtics dominated Game 3 in the same fashion they did Game 1. Unlike Game 1 it wasn’t a barrage of threes that put the Celtics on top but steadfast staunch defense leaving the Heat with only 84 points at the end of the game.
Achieving a double-double Jason Tatum had 22 points with 11 rebounds, coupled with Jalen Brown’s 22 points, the Celtics managed to dominate although only 11 3-pointers made. Continually pressuring the Heat, Boston furiously defended throughout all four quarters.
Tyler Herro was left with only two assists, a drastic contrast from the season high 14 he had the Game 2. The Celtics, just as they did in Game 1, lead throughout the entirety of the game. The Heat never came within 18 points in the second half. Now leading the series 2-1 Boston has regained home court advantage with the away win.
Miami will look to rebound Monday night in game 4 and in order to avoid elimination the Heat must win their next home games. Leading in all categories the Celtics showed their defensive prowess commanding rebounds, assists, and block shots. Derek White and Kristaps Porzingis bounced back to return to double digit scoring, managing to put the Celtics in a position to finish the series back in Boston with two more wins in a row.
Allowing only 12 points to the Heat in the first quarter, Celtics defense created turnover after turnover. Jaylen Brown in post-game comments said,” We had an emphasis on defense trying to make them uncomfortable a little bit … that kind of opened up the game.”
Celtics fans relish in the fact that if game 4 could roll the Celtics way, they could finish the series back in Boston and put the Heat behind them.
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