Tag: 2023 Eastern Conference Finals

ESPN’s NBA Today weighs in on the Boston Celtics’ title chances

The folks over at ESPN’s “NBA Today” show recently discussed where they thought Boston was in the thick of the title hunt.

Star Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum did not just save the Celtics’ season with his exceptional performances in Games 6 and 7 of the 2023 Eastern Conference semifinals series against the Philadelphia 76ers. The St. Louis native put his team back on track to get back to the finals to get another crack at winning the long-coveted Banner 18.

But it isn’t just Tatum — the Celtics’ well-rounded and surprisingly deep roster has positioned them as favorites to contend for the 2023 NBA Championship as they face a tough Miami Heat ball club in the ’23 East finals.

The folks over at ESPN’s “NBA Today” show recently discussed where they thought Boston was in the thick of the title hunt.

Take a look at the clip embedded above to hear what their panel of NBA analysts had to say about the Celtics’ 2023 postseason prospects against the Heat and beyond.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Celtics Lab 194: Boston is back on the brink after dropping Game 2 of the East finals vs. Miami

Can Boston find the right combination of effort, scheme, and coaching to save their season from the brink of disaster?

The Boston Celtics wilted in the white-hot lights shone on them by a determined Miami Heat ball club in Game 2 of their East Finals series. Now, the Celtics find themselves in a 0-2 series deficit headed back to Miami, one loss away from the dreaded 0-3 hole.

Boston has come back from a 0-2 start before, most recently against a Jimmy Butler-led team when he was with the Chicago Bulls, but this series feels very different from that one. Can Boston find the right combination of effort, scheme, and coaching to save their season from the brink of disaster?

The hosts of the CLNS Media “Celtics Lab” podcast jumped into the fray to try and make sense of what went wrong from curious coverage and rotation decisions, coaching mistakes, and poor late-game execution.

They also get into what they want to see in Game 3, as well as the other team currently in a 0-2 hole in the conference finals.

The Celtics Lab podcast is brought to you by Fan Duel and Better Help.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Three observations from Celtics’ Game 2 loss to Miami Heat

Poor execution down the stretch doomed the Celtics as the Heat stunned TD Garden in Game 2, 111-105.

The Boston Celtics (0-1) hosted the Miami Heat (1-0) in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals on Friday. Boston needed to tie the series at one game apiece before heading on the road. Miami wanted to take a commanding 2-0 series lead heading home. Poor execution down the stretch doomed the Celtics as the Heat stunned TD Garden in Game 2, 111-105.

Jimmy Butler scored 27 points with eight rebounds and six assists. Bam Adebayo put up 22 points, 17 rebounds, and nine assists.

Jayson Tatum scored 34 points, reeled in 13 rebounds, and dished eight assists. But, he committed five turnovers. Jaylen Brown scored 16 points, but shot 7-for-23 from the field.

Here are three observations from the Celtics’ Game 2 loss.

PHOTOS-Miami at Boston: Celtics come up short, drop Game 2 111-105

Let’s take a look at some of the best moments captured in images from a 111-105 Celtics Game 2 loss vs. the Heat Friday night.

The Boston Celtics fell to the Miami Heat Friday night at TD Garden, setting up a 0-2 deficit as the series shifts to South Beach. After a disappointing opening tilt in the series for the Celtics, Miami outscored Boston 36-22 in the fourth quarter to pull ahead and win Game 2 111-105 on the road.

Jayson Tatum led the way for Boston, finishing with 34 points and 13 rebounds, including a 15-point scoring flurry in the third period. The Celtics also got a big lift from the bench with the return of Grant Williams and 24 points combined from Derrick White and Malcolm Brogdon. With the game on the line, however, Boston reverted to sloppy defense and ineffective offense, affording Miami an opportunity to grab control of the game and a decisive victory.

Let’s take a look at some of the best moments captured in photos from Boston in Game 2 of the East Finals between the Heat and Celtics.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Joe Mazzulla on why the Celtics can pivot after tough losses: ‘They always respond’

Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla put his full trust in his players and their ability to respond to a tough loss ahead of Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals.

Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals was not a positive result for the Boston Celtics, who coughed up a frustrating loss to the Miami Heat behind a 46-25 third-quarter deficit. It marked a familiar challenge for this group, as this Celtics team has now blown a number of games they otherwise should have won handily. According to head coach Joe Mazzulla, however, fans should expect Boston to bounce back.

Despite the unfortunate result in Game 1 and the loud disparity in the second half, Mazzulla believes this group isn’t going to concern itself too much with the past. Prior to Game 2, Mazzulla told reporters why he thinks this Celtics team isn’t going to back down from a fight, and more importantly, why any one loss, however embarrassing or difficult, won’t upend his club.

“This is a strong locker room.” Mazzulla said.

No panic needed: Unlikely Boston Celtics playoff comebacks from 0-1 deficits

Looking back at the history of the Boston Celtics in the postseason, how worried should we be about a 0-1 series start to the Miami Heat? Perhaps less than you might think.

Looking back at the history of the Boston Celtics in the postseason, how worried should we be about a 0-1 series start to the Miami Heat? Perhaps less than you might think. Join us as we delve into the annals of NBA history and witness the Celtics’ unforgettable playoff triumphs, showcasing their determination, spirit, and unwavering commitment to excellence.

From unforgettable battles against rivals to nail-biting clashes in the NBA Finals, this video takes you on a journey through the Celtics’ most historic playoff victories. From Larry Bird to Paul Pierce, Bill Russell to Kevin Garnett, witness the stars who have embodied the Celtic pride and embraced the challenge of overcoming adversity.

Boston has started series off on a worse footing and come away with a series victory.

Take a look at the clip embedded above to see some of the more impressive such examples.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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What changes should the Boston Celtics make ahead of Game 2 vs. the Miami Heat?

How can Boston change their approach on both ends of the court to tie the series up at 1-1?

What happened in Game 1 of the 2023 Eastern Conference finals series between the Boston Celtics and Miami Heat? Can the Celtics get their play back to where it should be in time to stave off a 0-2 hole to start the series? And how can Boston change their approach on both ends of the court to tie the series up at 1-1?

The host of the CLNS Media “Winning Plays” podcast Brian Robb and guest Chris Forsberg of NBC Sports Boston recently analyzed the disastrous second half in the Celtics’ Game 1 loss to the Heat and sorted through all the troubles from timeout usage to turnovers and a leaky defense.

The duo also looked at some rotation decisions and what strategic tweaks will help the Celtics better match up with Miami moving forward in the series.

Take a look at the clip embedded above to hear what they had to say.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Can the Boston Celtics get their act together vs. the Miami Heat?

Is there a mental edge that the Heat have over the Celtics? Can Boston get their defense back on track in Game 2?

In Game 1 of the NBA’s 2023 Eastern Conference Finals, the Boston Celtics were sunk by a disastrous third quarter where they were outscored 46-25 by the Miami Heat at home in TD Garden this past Wednesday. All 16 of Miami’s made 3-pointers were either open or wide open, and Boston began to lose their poise and composure as the chance to tie or pull ahead slipped out of their grasp late in the fourth.

Is there a mental edge that the Heat have over the Celtics? Can Boston get their defense back on track in Game 2? Why is Payton Pritchard getting minutes over Grant Williams?

Join the josts of the CLNS Media “Vitamin Cs” podcast with Tim Sheils and Wayne “Breezie” Brown as they reflect on Game 1 and what needs to change for the Celtics to win Game 2 vs. the Heat.

Take a look at the clip embedded above to get their take on what we can expect in the second installment of this series.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Boston’s Joe Mazzulla shares why he went with Payton Pritchard over Grant Williams in Game 1

Mazzulla was a fan of Pritchard’s aggressiveness and physicality – was he sending a message?

Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla turned some heads in surprise in the Celtics’ Game 1 loss to the Miami Heat in the NBA’s 2023 Eastern Conference finals on Wednesday by playing seldom-used reserve point guard Payton Pritchard.

After practice on Thursday, Mazzulla shared why he went with the Oregon native in the high-leverage contest via CLNS Media. “I like his aggressiveness, I like his ability to change the momentum and energy of the game,” explained the Celtics coach of a player who took and missed two shots to go scoreless with a single assist and a -3 plus/minus while on the floor.

“I think he brings a level of physicality in our pick-and-roll defense, which is important in this series,” suggested Mazzulla, who later explained that the reason he went with Pritchard over a player like Grant Williams was due to Pritchard’s “shooting, with his playmaking, and his pick-and-roll defense.”

“Grant is always going to be ready and we’ve built a lot of versatility and depth in our lineup to where we can go a lot of different ways. We trust that anybody we call will be ready,” he added.

Williams would allow Boston to keep two shooters playing in the frontcourt without giving up size, and ought to see some floor time with Al Horford in this series because of it.

Pritchard may indeed be a good microwave option off of the bench, but Mazzulla’s explanation still leaves at least some fans and analysts confused given options like Williams and Sam Hauser could also be deployed.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Jayson Tatum vs. Jimmy Butler – who would you take as your No. 1 star?

While for fans of the Celtics, the choice is a clear one, is it necessarily so for those without green-tinted lenses?

The Boston Celtics’ Jayson Tatum vs. the Miami Heat’s Jimmy Butler – who would you take as your No. 1 star if given a choice between the two? Both players have been performing exceptionally well in the 2023 NBA Playoffs so far, with each averaging close to 30 points per game.

And although Jimmy Buckets holds a slight edge in his overall shooting percentage thus far in the 2023 postseason, the St. Louis native has been a dominant force on the boards for the Celtics through the Boston’s series with both the Atlanta Hawks and Philadelphia 76ers.

While for fans of the Celtics, the choice is a clear one, is it necessarily so for those without green-tinted lenses?

The Boston Globe’s Gary Washburn recently joined the NBC Sports Boston “Arbella Early Edition” with Trenni, Tom Giles, and Tom E. Curran to discuss this question.

Take a look at the clip embedded above to hear what they had to say.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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