Miami came to play, the Celtics not so much.
This was a shitty game. The officiating was awful. Plenty of terrible calls against the Celtics, but this game felt like one of those where Miami had plenty to complain about as well.
Once again, the Celtics were a turnoverfest in the first quarter, and, at the same time, they let Miami crash the offensive glass. Endind the quarter down 7, a hole they were just never really able to climb out of.
The rest of the game basically followed the same pattern: Celtics would put together a run of good play to close the deficit, them Miami would bounce back. Celtics would fight back to a near tie/tie/small lead, then make a couple of fucking dumb turnovers or do some other stupid thing, or just let up and allow the Heat to go on a run.
Down the very stretch run of the game, the Heat were 100% able to execute their offense, such as it is, and the Celtics were not. Butler dropped 47.
Tatum and Brown, who had great second quarters, and had 18 points each at the half, were largely missing in action for the whole second half. Tatum scored 30 total, but his 12 second half points were as quiet as they get - and his 7 turnovers could have been the difference in the game.
Brown scored 2 points in the second half - two - and got to the line with the scored tied at 99 and missed both.
The best Celtice in the 4th and in the whole game was Derrick White. He scored 22 on 7-14 shooting. Also 5 assists, 3 steals, 1 block, and unlike most of his teammates, zero turnovers. He scored 8 of the Celtics first 10 points in the 4th, had some key assists, and after Marcus stupidly wasted an offsenive posession, came back with a steal.
Al Horford played his far and away worst game of the playoffs. Got in early foul trouble in the first and second quarters so didn't play a lot. Missed his first 5 shots and shot 1-6 overall. He did have 9 rebounds and 5 assists, but also 3 turnovers. He only really looked good for a 2-3 minute stretch midways throught he fourth where he hit his 3 and had a couple of great assists.
It looked like Ime was about to sub Rob in for Al in the 4th when Al started to get going, and Ime decied to call Rob back - Rob did not play in the 4th. That will be second guessable, as Al didn;t do anything useful over the rest of the game and Rob had scored 10 in the third as the Celtics rediscovered him as a lob threat.
All in all, it was another winnable game the Celtics choked away with their own poor play.
I expect the Heat to win fairly easily on Sunday night, now that Butler has it going again, they will be at home, and if healthy, Miami can be trusted to want it more.
