Three thoughts on the Celtics’ calamitous 128-102 Game 3 loss to the Heat

The Boston Celtics wilted like orchids Sunday night, dropping Game 3 128-102 and falling behind 0-3 in the Eastern Conference finals.

Things are looking mighty precarious for the Boston Celtics right now following a devastating 128-102 loss to the Miami Heat in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals. The Celtics now trail 3-0 in the series, a deficit that has never been overcome in NBA history.

The Celtics looked absolutely without answers Sunday evening. Boston’s defense was listless, though Miami deserves credit. As a team, the Heat shot 56.8% from the floor and 54.3% from the field. Though it was indeed an uninspired showing from the visiting team, Miami deserves credit for a relentless scoring attack. The Heat were dramatically the better team.

The Celtics may have looked flat in Game 3 and may be on the ropes in the series, but fans in Boston will no doubt remember the heroics of the 2004 Boston Red Sox. That year, the Red Sox lost the third game of the American League championship 19-8 before roaring back and winning the series in seven games.

Can this Celtics team recapture that same magic? For now, here’s your recap of Game 3 between Boston and Miami in the Eastern Conference finals.