Jim Rassol-USA TODAY Sports
Celtics Discuss Returning to Identity Best Suiting Them in Game 4 Win: 'We're a Team That Believes in Us No Matter What'
When the Celtics are at their best, they're locked in defensively, regardless of whether shots are falling. Their success beyond the arc doesn't dictate their focus, energy, resistance, and attention to detail at the other end of the court.
When that happens, Boston consistently gets stops, making it easier for the defending Eastern Conference champions to play up-tempo and operate in advantageous situations. That helps everyone on the floor stay in rhythm and remain engaged.
All of it aids their ball movement and three-point shooting, helping sustain a positive cycle rather than drifting from what they need to do to be successful, leading to getting hit with haymakers like when the Heat outscored them 46-25 in the third quarter of Game 1.
Tuesday, with their season on the line, the Celtics adhering to their winning formula translated to outpacing the hosts 66-43 in the second half of their 116-99 win in Game 4.
While limiting Miami to 8/32 (25 percent) from beyond the arc, Boston buried 19/45 (42.2 percent) of its three-point attempts.
Jayson Tatum, who finished with a game-high 33 points, made four of his nine shots from distance. Al Horford, who scored 12 points, knocked down 3/6. Derrick White drilled 3/7 en route to 16 points. And Grant Williams, who shined off the bench, registered 14 on 4/6 shooting from behind the arc.
But head coach Joe Mazzulla was equally if not more, impressed by his team's ability to stay focused even when shots weren't falling.
"I think it's the combination of defending at a high level regardless of if those go in, but obviously, when they go in, they help, and it makes things a little bit easier for us."
Marcus Smart, one of the Celtics' defensive anchors, who contributed 11 points and six assists, said of sticking with the identity that best suits the defending Eastern Conference champions, "We just wanted to come out and continue to play hard, the right way no matter what, and we did that."
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Boston's starting point guard warned the Heat before Tuesday's tilt, "Don't let us get one."
So, when asked what his message is as the series returns to TD Garden, Smart voiced, "Now, we've just gotta go win another one. That's all that matters. We take it one game at a time. We understand the odds are stacked against us, but we're a team that believes in us no matter what, and we've just got to keep going, and all that matters is the next game."
Shortly after that, Smart expressed, "No matter what, we've got to continue to play the right way, continue to believe in each other, and let the chips fall where they may."
Grant Williams conveyed of the Celtics finally figuring out a way to get a win against Miami this series, "This team beats you by playing harder than you and knocking down those threes on open opportunities, so we have to maintain our pressure and maintain that perspective, understanding that no matter what's going on, just make that extra effort."
Jim Rassol-USA TODAY Sports
The former Tennessee Volunteer added, "We still have to make sure that even when we're tired, we get back and don't allow easy transition baskets because that's how leads slip."
Returning to the identity that best suits it got Boston back to its winning ways on Tuesday. Sticking with that Thursday, whether threes are finding the mark or not, is essential to stringing together a second-straight victory and forcing a Game 6 as it tries to march towards an unprecedented comeback.
Further Reading
Celtics Address Report Ime Udoka's Exit Bred Disconnect: 'We're Off Right Now'
Looking to do the Impossible, Celtics Channel Kevin Millar: 'Don't Let Us Get One'
Malcolm Brogdon Gives Brutally Honest Assessment of Celtics
Trading Jaylen Brown is a Gamble the Celtics are Better Off Not Making
Celtics Address 'Letting Go of the Rope' After Game 1 Loss to Heat
