WATCH: Boston Celtics put the clamps on the Miami Heat – defensive highlights (11/4)

Boston showed it could smother a team at will when they played connected.

For the second game in a row, the 4 – 5 Boston Celtics have put forth more than impressive defensive efforts, holding their surprised opponents to under 80 points scored in a pair of much-needed wins after fumbling their way to a 2 – 5 start most notable for their lack of defensive commitment, communication, and energy.

That they managed to pull it off against a rebuilding Orlando Magic franchise on Wednesday raised eyebrows around the league. But putting the clamps on one of the NBA’s best offenses in the Miami Heat this past Friday was truly an impressive sight.

Perhaps more importantly, it hinted that the Celtics might just be in better hands than some early doubters feared they might be under new head coach Ime Udoka.

If you haven’t had a chance to watch Boston’s 95 – 78 smothering of the Heat on Nov. 4 — or just want to see the clamps in action again — just watch the video embedded above, courtesy of Celtics YouTuber Tomasz Kordylewski.

This post originally appeared on Celtics Wire. Follow us on Facebook!

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