“My 1st half was crap, I threw that in the trash”

Led by 5 points at halftime, the Celtics nevertheless returned to the locker room rather confident. After scoring only 37 points at 38.2%, losing 10 balls and missing 9 offensive rebounds that offered 14 additional shots to the Heat, things could only get better.

“We weren’t playing at our best in a lot of ways. Sometimes all you need is a guy back to his average level. » Ime Udoka

At the break, Jaylen Brown was 6 points at 2/7 and 4 turnovers, Jayson Tatum 4 points at 1/9 and 2 turnovers. The first signed 19 points at 8/12 without losing any ball in the second half, the second 18 points at 6/11 (but 3 lost balls).

“The same player,” Brown said of the change between the first and second half. “I just had to take my time. That’s all. As the game goes on, some of that energy, that intensity starts to fade, so the game opens up a bit. The game opened up for me in the second half. I didn’t want to let myself down. I didn’t want to look in the past, thinking that this game was over. My team needed me to respond. My first half was crap, I threw that in the trash and just came to play basketball in the second half. »

The change was similar for Jayson Tatum, who seemed bothered by his shoulder in the first half. While he was creating for others in the first half, he eventually found his scoring rhythm in the second.

“Yeah my shoulder was bothering me,” Tatum said. “But we have found solutions. Obviously, it’s a very good team. Both teams play hard and fight. But guys like (Derrick) White, obviously (Marcus) Smart who was there, their mere presence has an impact, and JB put in some big shots. Everyone contributed from start to finish. »

Not the best of shows once again, but the Celtics, who built their success on their defense in the second half of the season, once again made their qualities speak on this side of the field to exhaust the Heat, author of 38 points in the second half -time and only 16 in a 3rd concluded 32-16.

“I think the mental stress and pressure we put on some teams with our defense worked and carried us through the playoffs at times,” Udoka said. “You saw in the series against Brooklyn, the guys started to wear down. In Game 7 Antetokounmpo slowed down a bit. But being able to keep throwing all those players at the opponent is physically and mentally draining them, which makes it difficult, as long as we don’t give them easy baskets in transition. With our guys, we are always confident that they will get into the rhythm and eventually find a solution”.

Brown and Tatum found their rhythm after the break, and when it was necessary to put in important shots, Brown answered present, he who scored 13 points at 5/6 in the last act.

“The guys just got their bearings, we kept being aggressive and we stopped losing balls,” Brown said. “In the first half we gave them a lot more shots, but we were only 5 points behind. We knew if we took care of the ball we would have some chances. »

Now the Celtics will have a first opportunity to conclude, and in front of their public.

“We have to go home feeling like we’re down 3-2, with that sense of urgency that this is a game that we have to win at all costs, not slack off because we’re leading. Said Jayson Tatum. “It’s possible for Miami to come back. Obviously, we did it in the second round, so knowing that, we shouldn’t be satisfied because we still have things to improve and we still have to play better. The work is not yet finished. »

via ESPN

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