Miami-Boston Celtics is a team of long-distance runners.
For years, former Celtics President Danny Ainge has hired a consultant to identify draft topics and free agents.Brain type“Under the belief that certain personality traits were created for better players. Einge and its system are gone, but the Celtics-due to in-depth reconnaissance, good luck, or perhaps a combination of both-. Has a collective personality type.
It was proved again Thursday night when he won the 127-102 Game 2 at the Miami Heat and defeated the Eastern Conference final 1-1.
According to a study by ESPN Stats & Information, the Celtics responded to defeats, averaging 17.3 points in these games for the fourth time in the postseason (third on the road).
This is the pace at which it will be the fifth highest winning margin after always losing in one postseason of the teams playing in at least three such games. All four teams before the Celtics won the title. (The Miami team this season is sixth on the list.)
Boston has now been defeated 10-1 since late January when the team saw that progress. And the loss is marked with an asterisk. It came the night the Celtics rested their starters.
This particular group seems to have a predisposition to this kind of resilience. That is by its nature. Collectively, the Celtics are like great marathoners, whose mental acuity and guilt are often equal to or better than physical gifts.
Their coach, Ime Udoka, has a frank attitude but has worked to instill confidence in his team throughout the season. He’s not afraid to challenge or talk to players, but he does it without relying on emotions. Udoka gained modest confidence when the Celtics appeared to be in serious danger to defending champion Bucks (the team that won eight consecutive close-out games) 3-2 in Milwaukee last week. I maintained it.
He, after all, believed that his subsequent Celtics were actually in a good position and told his team. He did so again prior to Game 2 this week, focusing on a few positives identified from the defeat of Game 1, including Boston winning three out of four quarters.
They won all four quarters on Thursday. The victory was supported by historic shootings. The Celtics last shot more than 50% from the field, 50% from the 3-point range, and 90% from the foul line in the playoff game in 1987. That Larry Bird / Kevin McHale-led team took six three-pointers that night. In Game 2, the 2022 model took 40. Great shooting makes everyone look good, but the confidence that Boston played wasn’t just good luck.
“I didn’t play as well as the last game,” Udoka said. “There were many positive points and areas that could be attacked.”
Jayson Tatum When Jaylen Brown, The two stars of the team are both very confident. As with most NBA players, the Boston duo also has the advantage of being equal.
For example, Tatam was in the same position as when he scored 46 points to survive Game 6 of the series after four out of 19 shooters in the miserable Game 3 with Bucks. Against the heat-he had six turnovers in the third quarter alone-Tatam started Game 2 in the first half of the explosive 20 points.
“I think the sign of a good team is a response after the defeat of a particularly tough team,” Tatam said after finishing with 27 points. “It shows the character of the group.”
Brown had one of the worst playoff games of his career in a series opener with Bucks, but scored 25 points in the first half of Game 2. He has been a consistent producer from that moment and arrives on the court for extra work three hours before all the tips to tackle his shooting.
Marcus smart A greedy competitor. More emotional than a laid-back teammate or head coach, he drives his play. He was injured and played throughout the postseason. In Game 2, he wasn’t able to compete in his first contest because he scored 24 points for a sprained ankle and 12 assists for a single turnover. ..The defensive player of the year was also cornered Jimmy ButlerAccording to ESPN Stats & Information, I’ve only tried 5 shots in 37 plays.
As a good example of how smart works, he started the game by creating only one of the first 10 shots. After that, he created 7 out of the last 10.
“I’m the youngest of four boys,” Smart said. “In my life, I have to fight … you have to be tough.”
The same ring fits above and below the roster.Veteran big man Al Horford It is the most stable existence in Boston.Reserve Grant Williams When Payton PritchardIn their young career, both too small and overlooked in different ways result in a mixture of energy and relentlessness. Williams scored 19 points from the bench in Game 2 after his poor performance in Game 1. After being attacked by the heat-on-offense in Game 1, Pritchard scored 10 points and competed fiercely in the defense, leading to the team’s best plus. 39 performance.
The Celtics are not a perfect team. It shows that they have weaknesses and can be driven to the brink of exclusion. But luck actually takes 4 out of 7. This must be done without the home court advantage for the heat to win the series.
The wiring methods in this group make it look as if they are accepting losses. And when you understand their character, that logic begins to shine.
“I think we had a better presence about ourselves,” Tatam said. “They finally kicked our ass [game], And we just wanted to respond. “
