The Celtics were outmatched in Game 3 against the Heat on Sunday, getting blown out, 128–102, and falling into a 3–0 deficit in the Eastern Conference Finals.
The Celtics rested their starters for the fourth quarter, waving the symbolic white flag early after falling behind by 30 points through the first three quarters.
After the game, All-NBA forward Jaylen Brown didn’t mince words when discussing the team’s performance, lamenting it as an “embarrassing” display.
“I don’t even know where to start. It’s an obvious letdown. I feel like we let our fan base, organization down, let ourselves down. It was a collective. We can point fingers, but in reality, it’s just embarrassing,” said Brown.
The 26-year-old scored 12 points in Sunday’s loss, shooting 6-for-17 from the field, including 0-for-7 from three-point range. He registered a game-worst -25 plus/minus. Brown is now 2-for-20 from three-point territory during the series, and is shooting 37.7% from the field.
After averaging 26.7 points against the Hawks in the first round and 22.9 points in the second round against the 76ers, Brown is scoring just 16.7 points per game against the Heat.
Brown didn’t hide his frustrations after another disappointing game, not hesitating to admit that the team fell short of expectations in a crucial spot.
The Celtics lacked intensity on Sunday night, something they can’t afford with their backs now against the wall. They face elimination in Game 4, which is set to take place Tuesday, though a win would force a Game 5 in Boston.
