The Boston Celtics went into Kaseya Center and dominated the Miami Heat 104-84 on Saturday night, erasing any sort of questions there were with potential momentum in favor of Miami. From start to finish, the Celtics outplayed the Heat on all levels of the floor.
Coming into the game the Celtics were suspects to their No. 1 seed. Miami took home court advantage after a victory in Game 2 and Boston seemed to take that personal.
A physical bout saw the Celtics bullying Miami on both ends. The painted area looked like a government-protected zone while Boston was defending. Miami was basically running a three-man weave with no basket. They were forced to shoot late into the shot clock, most of which were heavily contested.
“I don’t think we really brought that dog tonight," Bam Adebayo said. "It’s going to be a physical series. This is the Miami Heat versus the Boston Celtics. If you don’t bring that dog this is what happens. Possession by possession matters in the playoffs."
Celtics head coach Joe Mazulla played mixes of Kristaps Porzingas and Al Horford. Two big men above 6-foot-10 were competing in the same lineup. When they were sharing the floor Boston took complete control. The Celtics length suffocated Miami. Their depth in players that can guard multiple positions, like Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, and Jrue Holiday was highlighted in Game 3.
Miami shot 32.1% from three and 41.6% from the field. They got a 5 for 16 shooting night from Tyler Herro, 5 for 13 from Jaime Jaquez Jr., and 8 for 18 from Adebayo.
“They’re doing a lot of different things off the ball," Herro said. "Holding me, holding my jersey, but at the end of the day it’s just competition. I’m here for it, I’m excited. We’re here, let’s go, let’s keep going."
The Heat’s defense had a major test as well. They weren’t beaten by Boston’s playmaking or schemes in the halfcourt. The Celtics dared Miami to face them 1-on-1 and they were successful in doing so. It was an even game from Boston. They had four starters score 15 or more points despite a rough shooting night at 29.7% from three.
Miami was missing a sense of tenacity. The Celtics took it personally and the Heat backed down from a Game 3 challenge to show consistency. Herro and Adebayo were vocal, but their leadership throughout the game was inconsistent.
They’ll look to bounce back in Game 4 and tie the series at two games a piece. If they can protect homecourt advantage and avoid an elimination game in TD Garden, Miami has a fighter's chance. The Heat won’t be able to completely replicate their Game 3 performance, with a franchise record 23 three-pointers made, but something similar will need to show up if Miami has a chance.