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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Celtics Wire

Can the Boston Celtics’ defense save their contention aspirations?

Celtics Boston Boston Celtics Game 5 Game 4

After coming out strong defensively to win Game 4 of the 2023 East finals, the Boston Celtics did the same thing in Game 5 at TD Garden to beat the Miami Heat 110-97, forcing a Game 6 in Miami.

Last season, the Celtics had an elite, league-leading defense that carried them all the way to the 2022 NBA Finals, making up for their offensive deficiencies. This season, it was the opposite, with hot 3-point shooting making up for lack of effort on defense, and soon enough the team lost that defensive identity. With their backs against the wall, it seems like the Celtics have rediscovered their defensive edge and intensity, forcing turnovers and getting out in transition to create easy looks and keep the Heat on their heels.

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