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The Celtics Could've Folded and Flamed Out, Instead, They're Inching Closer to History: 'We're Not Going Down Like This'
After falling into an 0-3 hole and tapping out in the third quarter of Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals, to those outside the Celtics' locker room, it wasn't clear if they would fight for their season or let go of the rope.
But with what could be their last chance to win a championship together, a core that's been together since 2017 in most cases, got back to the identity best suiting them, with their defense laying the foundation for a 116-99 win, forcing a Game 5 back in Boston.
Still, for a group that's been an enigma this postseason, it was hard to gauge what version of this team would show up. The Celtics entered Thursday's matchup 10-11 in their last 21 playoff games at TD Garden, suffering the most postseason home losses in a two-year playoff span in NBA history, per ESPN Stats & Info.
But in Game 5, Marcus Smart set the tone, swiping the ball free, then diving on the floor for a steal that led to a transition layup for Jayson Tatum on the opening possession.
Boston continued playing with considerable energy throughout the night, locking in and playing connected on defense to cool off the Heat, holding them under 100 for the second-straight contest.
Consistently generating stops, including converting 16 Miami turnovers into 27 points, fueled an up-tempo operation, another key to the Celtics' success.
The combination led to generating 21 more points beyond the arc. The team on the right side of that figure rarely loses the game.
It didn't happen Thursday either, as the hosts earned a 110-97 victory, stringing together two of their best playoff performances and saving their season.
On the heels of forcing a Game 6, Joe Mazzulla said of what Boston's shown in these last two games, "It just says that our backs are against the wall, and we’re sticking together, and we're competing at a high level to give ourselves a chance."
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The first-year head coach, whose come under fire lately, also shared, "One of our assistants put it in perspective, the season’s like nine months long, and we just had a bad week. Sometimes, you have a bad week at work. And we obviously didn't pick the best time to have a bad week, but we did, and we're sticking together and fighting like hell to keep it alive, and the guys are really coming together."
Derrick White, who starred in Game 5, leading all scorers with 24 points, consistently pushing the pace, and delivering his best defensive performance of the Eastern Conference Finals, also addressed a locker room that's had its chemistry questioned, staying united.
"We've got a lot of love for each other, top to bottom. We're out there competing, and it's a long way to go, and we've got a lot of work to do, but it's always fun competing with the guys in our locker room."
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White later voiced, "Everybody's locked in, and we're just focusing on one game at a time."
Jaylen Brown, who finished with 21 points and three steals, expressed, "Our back has been against the wall. Obviously, we didn't imagine being in this position, being down 3-0, but when adversity hits, you get to see what a team is really made of, and it couldn't get no worse than being down 3-0. But we didn't look around, we didn't go in separate directions, we stayed together, we doubled down on what we're good at, defense, and I think now it's a series. So, we've just got to take it one game at a time and keep playing."
Brown also delivered the following message about the Celtics staying connected.
"Just being together in moments of adversity. Staying on the same page and sticking with it. Doubling down on things that we need to do better, holding each other accountable has been the key. I think once we got ourselves together, we all looked each other in the eyes and said, 'Hey, we not going out like this.'
"One, we represent the organization, but we also represent ourselves and our family. And obviously, we haven't performed the way we felt like we needed to perform, so that Game 4 was the start of the atonement, and now we've been able to pick up off that, Game 5, and hopefully, we can carry it on to Game 6."
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Jayson Tatum, who nearly registered a triple-double, producing 21 points, 11 assists, eight rebounds, and two steals in a stellar two-way performance, conveyed the following about Boston being at its best when its back is against the wall, often demonstrating impressive resiliency after self-inflicted missteps.
"For some odd reason, even last year, we always seem to make it a little bit tougher on ourselves. But what I do know is you can see the true character of a person, of a team when things aren't going well, and our ability to come together, figure things out when it's not necessarily looking good for us, it's unlike any team I've been on, this year and last year.
"The core group of guys, being able to respond, and I think that's a testament to our togetherness, obviously, how bad we want it, and we've got a room full of determined, tough guys, that, push come to shove, you look to the left and the right of you, (and) believe that the guy next to you is gonna do whatever it takes, and go down fighting if it don't work out."
Further Reading
Here's What Stood Out in Game 5 Win vs. Heat: Celtics Reconnecting to Swing Series Momentum
Film Room: Grant Williams' Value on Full Display in Celtics' Game 4 Win vs. Heat
Celtics Stars Speak on Team Sticking Together Down 3-0: 'We Didn't Want That to Define Us'
Jaylen Brown Responds to Rumors of Disconnect in Celtics Locker Room
Looking to do the Impossible, Celtics Channel Kevin Millar: 'Don't Let Us Get One'
Trading Jaylen Brown is a Gamble the Celtics are Better Off Not Making
