The Boston Celtics lost Game 1 of the 2023 Eastern Conference finals 123-116 behind a disappointing defensive effort and an inconsistent night scoring the ball. Boston also dropped Game 1 of the previous round in similar fashion, where rhythm and poise were equally absent.
The Celtics simply never got into gear on defense on Wednesday night. Miami shot lights out from deep from start to finished, aided by slow and inadequate rotations from Boston defenders. In the third quarter things really spiraled out of control for the Celtics, who were outscored 46-25 in the period. As head coach Joe Mazzulla put it several times after the game, the team “just let go of the rope.”
As a team, the Heat shot 16-for-31 from deep for the game, providing an overpowering offensive boost. When paired with a crafty 35-point performance from Jimmy Butler, the Celtics simply didn’t have many answers on the defensive end.
Boston left a lot on the court in the loss, playing with much less mojo than usual. Here’s how things shook out in Boston’s 123-116 Game 1 loss against Miami Wednesday night.
Heat coach Erik Spoelestra offered strong praise for rookie head coach Joe Mazzulla ahead of Game 1 the 2023 Eastern Conference finals. https://t.co/0X6tEyLQBo
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) May 17, 2023
Boston's offense
Marcus Smart was instrumental in keep Boston’s offense afloat. He logged 10 assists in the first half alone, and finished with 11 assists, one shy of a career postseason best. His passing was excellent, but really it was the intentionality that Smart brought to Boston’s offense that mattered most, something that was otherwise lacking.
In particular, this passing knocked Miami’s Bam Adebayo off his rhythm considerably. As the Heat’s defensive anchor, he serves a similar role on defense as Robert Williams, often roaming the paint ready to provide held defense in Miami’s stingy zone defense. With a few extra passes, Boston can overwhelm the Heat’s approach and generate plenty of open looks at the rim. Down the stretch, the Celtics were unable or unwilling to crack the infamous Miami zone.
Neither Jayson Tatum nor Jaylen Brown played particularly well. The pair logged 52 points combined, but also coughed up 10 turnovers. Their performances were good, but far from great.
What did the Boston Celtics do differently to beat the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 7? https://t.co/0PmT0rIM5j
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) May 17, 2023
Boston's defense
Once again the Celtics paired Al Horford and Robert Williams, granting Boston considerable size against a relatively small Miami team. There were some drawbacks, and although Boston did grab 9 offensive rebounds, Miami very quickly picked the Celtics defense apart.
With such an emphasis on the paint, Boston struggled to contain the Heat behind the 3-point line. Rotations were a too slow, and the visiting team took full advantage of so much free space. When they weren’t hitting open 3s, they were able to find clean looks closer to the basket with one or two passes.
The Heat shot 51.6% from distance, and 54.1% from the field overall, more often than not with Celtics defenders too far out of position to offer any really contest. Punctuated by a disastrous fourth quarter, the Celtics looked out of sorts trying to slow Miami’s roll.
‘They’ve got a chance to be up there with some of the greatest players we’ve ever seen,’ said Podcast P. https://t.co/S1fF5Pjj7l
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) May 17, 2023
Looking ahead
This is the third conference finals matchup between the Heat and Celtics in four seasons, and sixth since 2010. Two of the NBA’s marquee franchises, Game 1 delivered an exciting preview of what should be another hard-fought series between familiar foes, even if it didn’t go the way Celtics fans were hoping.
Tonight’s result can only tell us so much. In 2020, the series between these two teams went six matches. Last season, the Celtics also dropped the first game in a series that was ultimately decided by a Game 7.
The Celtics will need to show more consistent defensive poise. The double-bigs scheme isn’t necessarily the wrong call, but instead the wings and guards need to be much quicker and deliberate in rotating and contesting shooters.
On offense, the Celtics needs a stronger showing from its star players. With a trip to the Finals on the line, Boston’s stars simply can’t take a night off. Game 2 is set for Friday in Boston.
If you happened to notice a very short person holding the game ball in photos of the Boston Celtics locker room after the Celtics’ Game 7 win over the Philadelphia 76ers, your eyes were not p… https://t.co/TGcSjMfy4A
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) May 17, 2023
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