Late lapses by Boston’s ‘Best 5’ lineup were the worst vs Heat in Game 4

The Boston Celtics’ ‘Best 5’ lineup had some serious defensive lapses late in Game 4, but if they don’t tighten up from top to bottom, it won’t matter.

There’s been a fair amount of ink spilled about the Boston Celtics so-called “Best-5” lineup, and while it hasn’t seen much floor time over the course of the 2019-20 NBA season due to injuries of one member or another, against the Miami Heat in Game 4 of their East Finals series, it demonstrated some serious defensive problems.

The quintet of Celtics players who make up this Best 5 lineup (Jaylen Brown, Gordon Hayward, Marcus Smart, Jayson Tatum and Kemba Walker) occasionally make the same defensive mistakes when sprinkled into other lineups, but seemed especially out of sorts with no true big man on the floor to anchor the defense.

Asked what the issue was with the Best 5 lineup after the game, head coach Brad Stevens pointed to those two points — size and defense — as well.

“I don’t think we can rebound as well obviously, with that group,” observed the Celtics coach. “So, those guys really have to fight for it.”

“We should be able to switch and pressure. But they … never really felt us all night. At least Herro did, and then those guys did a good job against that lineup. They just chose some matchups to go after, and Butler came off the screens and made some plays.”

Those late game defensive lapses in particular may have cost Boston the game, but in truth they probably shouldn’t have been coming from behind late in the first place.

“We’ve got to do a better job with all our lineups,” agreed Stevens. “Certainly that one has had its moments but we looked small, I will say that.”

The Celtics have one chance left to stay in the series — and then one after that, then another.

From here on out it’s a single-elimination tourney for them, which may help light a fire beneath them.

If it doesn’t, break out the fishing gear.

[jwplayer BfutOpo8]

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