Miami — After a rock-fighting opening quarter in Game 3, things turned around fast in the second quarter for the Celtics and Heat. The C’s took a 2-1 series lead in the opening round when they established a double-digit advantage and never allowed the Heat to get back into the game.
Thus, the C’s not only overcame a discouraging Game 2 defeat, but they did it with a decisive victory of 104-84. From the outside looking in, it appeared as though the Celtics had made a lot of changes to achieve such disparate outcomes. However, Joe Mazzulla, the coach of the C’s, disputes that.
Mazzulla remarked, “I think that word just becomes such a trigger word around this time of year.” We didn’t make a lot of changes. We played with a little more vigor and intensity. The game’s tempo and toughness were set by us, and the simple tasks are those that must be completed under duress or extreme pressure. I believe our men did a fantastic job of prescribing that, therefore.
The Celtics’ superior level of aggressiveness on Saturday was evident, as the Heat were unable to match them. The Heat’s coach, Erik Spoelstra, claimed that the C’s intimidated his team, increasing the tempo when they had a sizable lead in the second quarter and beyond.
The Heat’s decision to cut back on their 3-point shooting after a prolific showing in Game 2 also benefited the Celtics. In contrast to Game 2, the Heat got their open looks but were unable to convert those opportunities. Hence, in an attempt to bring a 3-1 series back to Boston, the C’s will try to duplicate the outstanding aspects of their Game 3 victory.
Every game takes on a life of its own because both teams are always altering, adjusting, and trying to find little ways to get little advantages inside the game, so you just have to focus on the things that you can control going into it, Mazzulla said. “There are certain requirements for each game, and you have to be quick to adapt or give the game what it needs.”
