Tag: 2024 nba playoffs first round

Defense is where the Boston Celtics are going to win games

Will the Celtics be able to respond to whatever the Heat cook up for Game 4?

The Boston Celtics took care of business against the Miami Heat in Game 3 of their Eastern Conference first round series vs. their old rivals. The storied ball club tightened up its defense and made the series go in a way much more like what many thought it might in terms of the final outcome.

Will the Celtics be able to respond to whatever the Heat cook up for Game 4 to hang onto their reclaimed homecourt advantage? “That’s where we’re going to win games, on the defensive end,” said star Boston forward Jayson Tatum after the win via the Associated Press.

The hosts of the CLNS Media “Garden Report” podcast, Bobby Manning, Josue Pavon, Jimmy Toscano, A. Sherrod Blakely and John Zannis, weighed in on what they saw in Game 3. Check it out below!

If you enjoy this pod, check out the “How Bout Them Celtics,” “First to the Floor,” and the many other New England sports podcasts available on the CLNS Media network.

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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The Boston Celtics dominate the Miami Heat 104-84 as defense suffocates

The Celtics got themselves back on track against the Heat this past Saturday.

The Boston Celtics got themselves back on track against the Miami Heat this past Saturday night (April 27), winning their Game 3 contest of the NBA’s 2024 Eastern Conference first round series 104-84.

“We put an emphasis on defense, trying to make them uncomfortable a little bit,” said Boston star forward Jaylen Brown postgame via CLNS Media. “I think that opened up the game.” The Celtics used that defensive attention to power their revenge win over the Heat after an embarrassing loss to Miami on their own home court of TD Garden this past Wednesday (April 24) night.

The hosts of the CLNS Media “How Bout Them Celtics!” podcast, Jack Simone and Sam LaFrance, took a closer look at the win and what it means for the series moving forward on their most recent episode. Check it out below!

If you enjoy this pod, check out the “How Bout Them Celtics,” “First to the Floor,” and the many other New England sports podcasts available on the CLNS Media network.

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 dominated both ends in 104-84 Game 3 rout against Miami

Check out the best plays from a 104-84 Celtics victory over the Heat in Game 3.

The Boston Celtics took care of business over the weekend against the Miami Heat, grabbing a 104-84 victory in Game 3 of the first round of the 2024 NBA Playoffs. The Celtics now own a 2-1 series lead against one of their chief rivals.

Boston laid in egg in Game 2, allowing Miami to get red-hot behind the arc with an uninspired defensive performance. In Game 3, however, the Celtics looked much more polished and focused. They put the clamps on the Heat, especially on the perimeter. This led to a number of turnovers, which Boston converted into easy offense. The Celtics broke the game open with a 42-point second quarter and never looked back, cruising to a commanding victory.

Check out all the highlights from Boston’s big win below, thanks to our friends over at NBC Sports Boston on YouTube.

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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Will the Boston Celtics’ first round series with the Miami Heat run long?

The question looms whether the series will extend to a lengthy battle.

Will the Boston Celtics’ 2024 NBA Eastern Conference first round series with the Miami Heat end up running long? One of the Celtics’ biggest problems in past runs at a title has been the team letting winnable games pass them by and series run long, only to make it deep into the postseason with no legs left to play.

After the Celtics’ loss in Game 2 against the Heat, the question looms whether the series will extend to a lengthy battle. CLNS Media’s Bobby Manning and Josue Pavon invited Noa Dalzell from Celtics Blog to join them on “The Garden Report” podcast to discuss the outlook for the remainder of the series.

They analyzed the factors that could influence if the series will be drawn out, including adjustments the Celtics might need to make, performances, and matchups. Tune in to hear their insights and predictions on how this intense playoff series might unfold in the clip below.

If you enjoy this pod, check out the “How Bout Them Celtics,” “First to the Floor,” and the many other New England sports podcasts available on the CLNS Media network.

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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PHOTOS: Boston vs. Miami – Celtics cruise past Heat with 104-84 Game 3 win

Let’s take a look at some of the best moments captured in images in the Celtics’ Game 3 of their first round series vs. the Heat.

The Boston Celtics defeated the Miami Heat 104-84 in Game 3 of the first round of the 2024 NBA playoffs, taking a 2-1 series lead in the process. It was a great rebound from an ugly tilt a few nights before, which saw the Celtics lay an egg at home.     

The Celtics’ offense was smooth and steady, save a slow first quarter. This was aided by a strong defensive showing, which led to 12 turnovers and helped Boston push the pace. By taking a more aggressive approach, the Celtics controlled the rhythm of the game. A small push from Miami in the fourth quarter closed the margin, but Boston was the better team in this one. 

Let’s take a look at some of the best moments captured in images in the Celtics’ Game 3 of their first round series vs. the Heat.

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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Kristaps Porzingis needs to play much better for the Boston Celtics to beat the Miami Heat

Why was KP so ineffective in Game 2 of the series vs. the Heat?

The Boston Celtics dominated the NBA’s 2023-24 regular season thanks in part to the addition of star big man Kristaps Porzingis, with the Latvian center eating off his ability to create mismatches in the post against smaller players. But in the Eastern Conference’s 2024 NBA Playoffs’ Game 2 matchup vs. the Miami Heat in the first round, Porzingis struggled vs. Miami.

Why was KP so ineffective in Game 2 of the series vs. the Heat? What did they do to take him out of his rhythm? Is it a one-time thing or can we expect more of the same to neutralize the 7-footer? Whatever the issue, he needs to play better for Boston to advance past Miami.

The hosts of the CLNS Media “How Bout Them Celtics!” podcast, Jack Simone and Sam LaFrance, took a closer look at his bad game and what needs to change for him to do better. Check it out in the clip embedded below.

If you enjoy this pod, check out the “How Bout Them Celtics,” “First to the Floor,” and the many other New England sports podcasts available on the CLNS Media network.

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’ Luke Kornet cleared to play in Game 3 vs. Heat

The Boston Celtics will have a full-strength roster for their game against the Miami Heat.

The Boston Celtics will enter their Game 3 matchup against the Miami Heat at full strength. Luke Kornet has been cleared to participate in the game should Joe Mazzulla decide to insert him into the rotation. He has missed the past two games due to a calf injury. Kornet, 28, has been an important part of the Celtics’ rotation this season.

Operating as the third-string big man, Kornet has made 63 appearances for Mazzulla’s roster, averaging 5.3 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game, shooting 70% from the field. He has also been an integral part of Mazzulla’s offensive system due to his ability to set solid screens and slip to the basket while offering short-roll creation.

Kornet’s return will give the Celtics some additional size against the Heat. Miami, on the other hand, will be missing four rotation players, leaving them incredibly short-handed against arguably the best team in the Eastern Conference.

After missing the opening two games, it will be interesting to see if Mazzulla tweaks his playoff rotation to find some minutes for the veteran big man.

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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How will the Boston Celtics and Miami Heat adjust for Game 3?

How will the Heat adjust to the Celtics’ likely adjustments?

How will the Boston Celtics adjust in Game 3 of their 2024 NBA Playoffs Eastern Conference first round series with the Miami Heat? How will the Heat adjust to the Celtics’ likely adjustments? The hosts of the CLNS Media “First to the Floor” podcast, Jake Issenberg, Ben Vallis, and Wayne Spooney, linked up with guest Dan Greenberg, who joins them to preview the third installment of the series to date and gauge our collective worry levels.

Plus, the crew checks in on the other playoff series currently in process around the league, and share their thoughts on what’s been going on and what might be coming.

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

If you enjoy this pod, check out the “How Bout Them Celtics,” “First to the Floor,” and the many other New England sports podcasts available on the CLNS Media network.

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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Is Miami’s ‘Heat Culture’ responsible for the Boston Celtics dropping Game 2?

And what exactly IS ‘Heat Culture’ anyway?

Is Miami’s ‘Heat Culture’ what was responsible for the Boston Celtics dropping Game 2 of their 2024 NBA Eastern Conference playoffs series? And what exactly IS ‘Heat Culture’ anyway?

Whatever it is, it is safe to say that the Celtics did not have anything even vaguely like it going for them in that 111-101 defeat that evened up the series at 1-1 this past Wednesday (April 24) evening. However you choose to define ‘Heat Culture,’ Miami found ways to get into the Celtics’ collective heads and junk up their game plan, flipping the script from beyond the arc on that night.

The hosts of WEEI’s popular New England sports radio show “Gresh and Fauria” took some time to talk this over on a recent episode of their show.

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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Just how bad was the Boston Celtics’ perimeter defense vs. the Miami Heat in Game 2?

Coach Joe might want to hit the video room based on what the podcast hosts found in their investigation.

Just how bad was the Boston Celtics’ perimeter defense vs. the Miami Heat in Game 2? After the Celtics let the Heat hit a historic rate of 3s in their Game 2 loss to the Heat, Boston head coach Joe Mazzulla suggested that Boston had only allowed a few uncontested treys to burn them.

But the hosts of the CLNS Media “How Bout Them Celtics!” podcast, Jack Simone and Sam LaFrance, took a deep dive into the 3-point assault from Miami in Game 2 to see how well those 3-point shots actually were defended by Boston in the loss. Coach Joe might want to hit the video room based on what the podcast hosts found in their investigation.

Take a look at the clip embedded below to hear it for yourself.

If you enjoy this pod, check out the “How Bout Them Celtics,” “First to the Floor,” and the many other New England sports podcasts available on the CLNS Media network.

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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