The Celtics Had A Championship Level Response In Game 2 And Now Head Home With All The Momentum In The World

Michael Reaves. Getty Images.

In the playoffs, it's very rare that you win every game you play. The teams and players involved are too good. This is especially true in this era, where there really isn't some sort of dominant superteam. The reason we were all so excited for this postseason was the fact that it was so wide open. To have big time success and make deep runs, it becomes how you respond to the inevitable losses you will face. The deeper they happen in the playoffs, the more painful they become. When it comes to the Boston Celtics, if there's one thing they've perfected it's finding ways to have soul crushing playoff losses. In previous years, it clearly broke them. What we're seeing now is a team that has been molded by pain. Whether it was their previous playoff failures or their early season underachievement, the core pieces of this team have been through hell. We're now at a point where a soul crushing loss no longer lingers. The biggest change in this team has to be with how they handle these moments

For those unaware, it's May 20th. That seems pretty good and not something any other team in the NBA can say. It's one thing to do this in the regular season, it's another to do it on the biggest stage when there is real pressure. Celts lost Game 1 to the Bucks and immediately responded. Then they lost Game 3 in horrific fashion and immediately responded. Then they lost Game 5 in even more horrific fashion and immediately responded. In this series, they lose Game 1 to the Heat in horrific fashion and immediately respond. It doesn't matter if it's a home or on the road, this team punches back. They have now earned the benefit of the doubt coming off tough losses. You can trust them. Do you know how weird that was for me to type? I just don't know what else people need to see. Read that tweet again. This team doesn't lose two games in a row. Do I need to count how many games this has been? Fine, I will. The Celtics lost back to back games after that brutal loss to the Blazers at home on January 21st. From that moment until now, the Celts have played 48 total games including the playoffs. By my math, back to back losses have happened 1 time in 48 games, and that was the TOR loss when everyone sat. 48 games. That's over half an NBA season. I didn't even know that was possible. Just the sheer fact they never had a random off night or anything over the course of the rest of the season is nuts. Then, to keep responding and keep punching back against Giannis and the #1 seed in the Conference is the sign of a truly special team. 

It may sound a little premature to suggest that Game 2 was a must win given the fact that the Celts haven't even played a home game yet, but just look at NBA history. The Heat as a franchise has never lost a series they led 2-0. Ever. Pick a season, it doesn't matter. They go up 2-0, it's curtains. Coming off how Game 1 ended, they had all the momentum in the world, They punked the Celts just like we were in the bubble. We all wondered if things were actually different, or if this would just be more of the same. Let me ask you now. Do you feel like this Celts response was the same as what happened in the bubble, or different? 

What I saw was a championship level response from a team that is ready for their moment. You're going to lose playoff games, but how you respond is all that matters. Championship level teams respond like we saw last night. They not only stop the bleeding, they change the momentum. The next challenge for this Celts team is now building on that momentum. Don't have a letdown in Games 3&4 and you can put this Heat team on the ropes. 

We can spend the next 24 hours worrying about that. First, well first we must relive one of the best nights in Celtics playoff history.

The Good

- Don't be a fool. You know where we're starting. There is only one choice for the top spot in this blog. This spot is reserved for those of us who love and trust. Through the ups and downs, we remain constant. I'm happy to report that our loyalty and our beliefs are being validated. I don't know who needs to hear this right now, but Marcus Smart is a difference maker. He's the heart and soul, he sets the tone, he brings the toughness, all that intangible stuff is true and frankly not debatable.

He's also the perfect starting point guard for this roster.

A question heading into Game 2 was what type of impact would Smart make? The haters and losers of which there are many did what they normally do. They said stupid shit like he wouldn't make that big of a difference. Doesn't matter if it was on Twitter, or on the radio, or even Shaq

Would you like to know just what type of impact Marcus Smart made? I'd love to tell you. In his return, Smart

- Led the team in MIN 

- Led the team in FGA 

- Led the team in 3PM 

- Led the team in REB 

- Led the team in AST 

- Led the team in STL 

- Was 2nd in PTS 

- Turned it over once

Uhhhh, yeah. That seems like a pretty massive impact. Suddenly the Celts weren't turning it over a billion times, I wonder why. Maybe it's because they got their floor general back. He didn't panic against the Heat pressure. When Tatum was getting trapped, Smart was there to be an outlet, calm everyone down, and run an actual offense. For someone who isn't a natural passer, he had 12 assists and 1 TO and that 1 TO was actually him saving the ball from going out of bounds, he just unfortunately threw it off Tatum's leg. Over his last three games, Smart has 29 assists and just 3 TOs. A 29:3 ratio. Is that good? How does that stack up to all the "floor generals" or "true PGs" in the playoffs right now? 

The reason Smart is the perfect starting point guard for this roster is the same thing I've been telling you since October. He's a naturally gifted and willing passer, his size and defensive ability make him a two way monster that you can no longer attack on the defensive end, his shooting is improving, and his overall decision making continues to get better and better. People say Smart doesn't accept his role. I think that's wrong. I think it's that people cannot accept that what we are seeing IS Smart's role. It should surprise no one that Smart comes back and suddenly the perimeter defense looks so much better. This sequence alone sums it all up. Look at what he is doing to Jimmy Butler

JAIL. That is not something the Celts were able to do in Game 1 and as a result Butler went nuts. Now they have the size, quickness, and smarts (no pun intended but intended) to make his life hell. That is the value that Marcus Smart brings. How about his 50/50 ball he won early in the game to help extend the lead? That was the type of shit that wasn't happening in Game 1. 

It just feels incredible to watch Smart validate everything I've ever said about him. This is why myself and so many are so stubborn about him. We're right. We were always right. Now everyone is starting to see the light and I couldn't be happier.

- As important as Smart is, and was in this game, ultimately the ceiling of this team is determined by their two best players. If they were going to punch back in Game 2, it would require Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown to not only show up, but also be efficient. I am happy to report that is exactly what happened. Let's start with Jayson

27/5/5 on 8-13 (4-6) with only 3 TOs, Tatum had maybe the quietest 27 I've ever seen. You know why? Because nothing was forced. We lived in a world where Tatum took 13 FGA and Smart took 22, and it never felt like he wasn't involved enough. When they needed his scoring, he was there. He didn't miss a FT either which I appreciated, but so much of why the Celts offense never really struggled in this game was because once again Tatum was a more than willing passer. When the Heat trapped or gave him ball pressure to get the ball out of his hands, Tatum didn't fight it. He found the weak link instead. He loved and trusted his teammates. 

Here's the problem the Heat face in trying to guard this man. They really only have like 2.5 capable perimeter defenders in Butler/Bam and Tucker (who is now hurt). They really cannot stop Tatum from going north/south, so it forces them to make a decision. They need to sag in their wing defenders in hopes of forcing Tatum to either turn it over, or pass it. The issue is the Celts have legit shooting all around Tatum, and since he's a willing passer he has no problem making the easy read so someone can get a wide open three. If the Heat don't crowd the paint, Tatum is too big and too strong and he can just get to the rim whenever he wants. It's a lose/lose situation for MIA that they are quickly realizing. The Celts can then attack that defense in a variety of ways. The Heat are not switchable at every position, so the Celts can just give Tatum a quick high screen and create the mismatch. It's clear that he and the offense are at their best when they begin possessions with Tatum off ball, and even if the Heat want to go zone, fine. Put Tatum at the nail and it's a wrap. 

Given how brutal his 3rd quarter was in Game 1, I was interested to see how Tatum responded in Game 2. He knew he needed to be better, and he was. That's the exact type of leader I want on this team.

- Then there was Jaylen. Remember, the coolest part about having Tatum and Brown on this team is the fact that you have BOTH Tatum and Brown on this team. Everything I said about Tatum just now in terms of the challenges he gives the Heat defense is also true for Jaylen

24/8/3 on 9-17 (4-7) with only 1 TO and a perfect 2-2 from the FT line for Jaylen in his 33 minutes last night. We saw Jaylen get back to his old ways of dominating the first quarter (11 points on 4-5 shooting) and that's what allowed the Celts to weather the early Heat run and punch back. It's becoming clear that Jaylen will be able to get to the midrange whenever the hell he wants. The Heat perimeter defenders are just too small outside of Butler. How many times did we see Jaylen put the ball on the floor and easily rise up and shoot over Gabe Vincent? It's not all that different than what Butler did to Pritchard in Game 1. 

Jaylen told us after Game 1 that he needed to be better and would be better, and he backed it up. I think that's what I love so much about this team. When they fuck up they own it and vow to be better. It's one thing to do that, it's another thing to do it and then go out and prove it. 

When the two best players combine for 51 points on 17-30 (8-13) and only 4 TOs, this team is nearly impossible to beat. When you then add in how great everyone else looked on top of that, you get a 25 point blowout on the road.

- If we're all going to publicly complain about how infuriating it is when this team focuses more on bitching at the refs than playing, we all then have to give the Celts credit for when they stop that shit. I thought both Jayson Tatum and Grant did complete 180s in this game in that regard. Tatum didn't throw a tantrum on either of his early fouls. He didn't complain when Butler maybe got a soft whistle. He put his head down and got back on defense. 

The same is true for Grant. I cannot even remember a time he threw a tantrum. We even saw him stop himself mid-complain which I didn't even know he could do. It's pretty obvious that Ime got on the team's ass about this. It was costing them playoff games. It's what allowed them to lose their mental focus in that 3rd quarter. When this team stops all the bullshit and just plays, they are the best team in the NBA.

When they decide to self sabotage by putting more effort into complaining than actually getting back, they suffer horrific losses. It's not all that complicated, but man was it nice to see given how important this game was. 

- Please take a moment and enjoy this Grande Bomb

- When the Celts look like this unstoppable wave of dominance, it's usually in a game where their role players play like starters. That didn't really happen in Game 1, especially with Grant. In Game 2? Grant and Pritchard were fantastic

19/4 for Grant on 5-7 (2-2) and 10/2/2 for Pritchard on 4-8 (2-6) including some elite level shit talking to Tyler Herro. I said before the series that this could be a big one for Pritchard given how the Heat defend, and that remains true to this day. His shooting and floor spacing is a weapon. He has gigantic stones and is not afraid of the moment. 

With Grant, when he's making his threes like this the Celts go to another level. It's such a difference when we see Grant play with confidence as opposed to second guessing himself offensively. Just let that shit fly Grant, you're a 40% three point shooter. Take that shit with confidence and you'll find things tend to work out. These two were a combined +78 off the bench. +78!! In a game where the Celts were playing with a shorter bench since White was out, these two more than stepped up. For that to happen on the road is just the cherry on top. Now they return home where they in theory should be even better. 

- How about the fact that rested Al didn't miss a fucking shot

A perfect 4-4 (2-2) in his 32 minutes, it was just nice to have this man back in our lives. Playoff Al is just so steady. Rested Playoff Al is arguably the most dominant stretch big in playoff history. Spot the lie. Then you add in everything he brings on the defensive end and yeah, I think it's fair to suggest that unless the Heat get more covid prayers with Al, he's a huge impact player.

- I've really been impressed with how this team has completely taken Bam out of the series so far. I'm not sure if that will continue the rest of the way, but for a guy that completely dominated the 2020 series, I haven't even really noticed Bam offensively so far in this one. It's like going up against Giannis perfectly prepared the Celts bigs for Bam. There's no offensive bag there and the players know it. Just stay home, don't bite on pump fakes and make Bam prove he can consistently make a jumper. He even isn't really killing them in P&R, so I wonder if Spo will really commit to that more moving forward in this series, but so much of Bam's success comes from the playmaking ability of Lowry. Without him on the floor, Bam is much easier to guard.

- Look, the offensive numbers are stupid. Everyone was talking about the Heat defense after Game 1, well the Celts just put up 127 on 51/50/90% splits and 20 3PM in regulation. They never had a quarter under 26 points. They only turned the ball over 9 times. 

Do you like ball movement? I fucking love ball movement. The Celts had 28 assists on their 43 FGM. As we know the target number for this team is 20 AST. When they break that number, they almost never lose. If they get as high as 28? Forget about it. You have no chance because that means not only is the ball not sticking and this team isn't relying on isolation, but everyone is hitting shots. You combine that with the best defense on the planet, you get a team that is a true contender.

- We cannot make enough about the resiliency of this team. It first showed up when they got down by 10 early. That could have ballooned and gotten out of hand quickly. Instead, Ime took a timeout, told his team to wake up, and they responded with this

Then in the 3rd quarter when the Heat made the typical fake NBA run to get it down to 17, the Celts didn't panic. Instead, they took a timeout and immediately extended the lead back to 25. That showed me the level of mental toughness that is going to be required to win this series. It was the exact opposite of the 3rd quarter mental meltdown we saw in Game 1. 

The Celts have now won 7 of the 8 quarters in this series. The only thing that can truly stop them is themselves. That much is clear. As long as they stay locked in mentally and don't allow themselves to get in their own heads, they'll be just fine.

- This team was much more disciplined in this game when it came to guarding Jimmy Butler. They stopped going for him pump fakes, something they clearly reviewed in their film session, and as a result he only took 8 FTA. Pretty huge difference compared to the 18 he took in Game 1. He was still solid offensively, but the Celts can win with Butler only scoring 29 points. It's when he lives at the line and is scoring easy buckets in transition that he becomes a problem. Then you're dealing with a 35-40 point night for Butler. If you limit your turnovers and then remain disciplined on the defensive end, you can find success. 

- I love how the Tatum family as a unit is committed to giving Grant shit at all times no matter what

The vibes…..they remain immaculate.

- 21 for 23 from the FT line after missing 8 in Game 1. Thank you. 

- We can wrap this section with some dominant Rob moments. It feels so great to have him back and looking like the Rob we know and love. A healthy Robert Williams makes a MASSIVE difference, and that's been pretty obvious in these first two games. He's been the best big on the floor for either team and I'm not sure it's been close. 

As he continues to get his game legs under him, I expect Rob to be even better. Everything he does for this team on the offensive end in terms of ball movement and being an elite lob threat is crucial. The work he does on the offensive glass has been sorely missed. Then you realize he also blocks absolutely everything in his path and yeah, having Rob back rules.

The Bad

- What do we even put in this section after a win like this? It's not easy, but the Celts weren't perfect. I hated their start for example. There have been stretches of this series so far where the Celts simply cannot get stops. In this game, it was more about limiting the Heat from deep. If I remember correctly they started 4-5 from deep. In Game 1 there was that stretch where they made 10 of 11 shots. The Celts defense has found ways to settle down, but moving forward I would like to see that elite defense show up right away. That was a bit of playing with fire early, and you never know what can happen in these games. Sometimes a guy makes some early buckets and it gives them a level of confidence that buries you all night. I want the Celts stepping on throats and crushing dreams from the opening tip until the final buzzer.

- At some point it would be cool for Nesmith to make a shot. Another 0-fer in this one, I'm nitpicking here but like I said this team won by 25 fucking points on the road. What else is there? 

- Still not totally thrilled with the rebounding through two games. Too often am I seeing Jimmy Butler feast on the offensive glass. There was that one brutal stretch where Rob let PJ Tucker completely manhandle him on the block and he had the OREB putback. Rebounding is effort, and I am begging this team to practice boxing out today. It's really the one thing I'm never totally sure they'll show up with. When this team rebounds and limits extra possessions, you cannot score on them.

- So many missed bunnies in this game. In Game 1, it was Jaylen missing layups. In Game 2, it was Smart. How many point blank bunnies did we see this team smoke. Usually that comes back to bite you, so please, just take your time and focus. Scoring can be hard enough at times, I cannot also have to now worry about converting wide open point blank layups. My heart simply cannot take it.

The Ugly

- I dunno. The rules state that I have to put something in this section, I'm just not sure what.

OK I got it. It's shameful that the Celts reserves allowed the Heat to break 100. Have some pride for me one time. 

So here we go. The Celts leave Miami by accomplishing what they needed to. They got the split and now own homecourt. They have all the momentum heading back into their own building. All they need to do is win their home games the rest of this series, and they are off to the NBA Finals. We all wanted to see a championship level response in Game 2 with basically their season on the line and that's exactly what they did. They showed us why we love and trust. Now keep this shit going.