The Boston Celtics aren’t just an ordinary team in the regular season. It’s a tough feat for any NBA team to win when their opponent shoots an impressive 53.5% from beyond the arc, making 23 three-pointers.
Despite missing key players like Jimmy Butler and Terry Rozier, the undermanned Miami Heat’s remarkable 111-101 win against Boston in Game 2 shouldn’t be shocking, especially considering their exceptional shooting performance.
Even more puzzling is why the Celtics, equipped with versatile defenders capable of switching on-ball and supported by a nearly elite rim protector that contributed to the league’s second-best defensive rating, seemingly found themselves compelled to allow Miami’s supporting cast wide-open three-point opportunities time and again.
After the game, Joe Mazzulla suggested that his team would need to adjust their defensive approach significantly. He emphasized the importance of closing out more aggressively on shooters in the future, while also maintaining awareness of their capability to attack the rim off the dribble.
Mazzulla pointed out that many of the players who made shots in the game are also skilled at driving to the basket, particularly attacking downhill. He stressed the necessity of striking a balance between closing out effectively on shooters while also preventing them from exploiting driving lanes.
Mazzulla overlooks providing details about the potential consequences or aspects of the defensive strategy he refers to as the “other side.”
Is it truly necessary for the Celtics to be overly concerned about Caleb Martin and Haywood Highsmith driving to the paint, especially with Kristaps Porzingis and other disruptive rim protectors like Derrick White and Jayson Tatum guarding the back line? Similarly, should they approach Tyler Herro-Bam Adebayo pick-and-rolls with the same level of caution as they would the potent two-man game between Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic?
While Erik Spoelstra is widely regarded as one of the top coaches in basketball, the most reliable way to gain an advantage in the postseason is through having elite talent. In Game 2, Miami lacked that advantage and will continue to do so for the entire first round as Jimmy Butler recuperates from a sprained MCL. However, this absence didn’t hinder them on Wednesday night. The Celtics’ drastic response to Tyler Herro’s ball screens transformed him into a versatile playmaker whose impact elevated the performance of his teammates across the board.
