ECF Celtics v Heat | Game 3 Recap

Celtics 102 @ Heat 128 | Kaseya Center | Miami, FL | MIA leads series 3-0

Boston Bows Out in Miami

In a stunning show of dominance, the Miami Heat defeated the Boston Celtics in game 3 of the

2023 Eastern Conference Finals. With a final score of 128-102, the Heat now have a

commanding 3-0 lead in the series.

The game was an example of the Heat's strong defensive prowess, with Jimmy Butler leading the

charge again with 2 steals and creating his usual chaos all over the floor. Offensively, Gabe

Vincent shone with a game and career-high 29 points, 1 steal, and 1 block. You also had Caleb

Martin and Duncan Robinson get hot off the bench with 18 and 22 points respectively. Caleb

Martin also had a game-high plus/minus of +34. If you want to look for a hole in this Heat

destruction of the Celtics, the only finger to point would be at Kevin Love who was the only

regular with a negative plus/minus.

The Celtics now face an uphill battle to come back in the series and make it to the NBA Finals. Just like the Lakers in the Western Conference Finals they will be fighting against history that has seen 149 teams try and fail to overcome the dreaded 0-3 hole. With Miami's impressive performance, it's uncertain whether the Celtics will be able to bounce back. Unlike the first two games there were truly back and forth affairs until late. This game was never truly in doubt after about 6 minutes left in the first and the Heat lead was just one. The Celtics will need to quickly regroup and adjust their game plan if they hope to avoid a series sweep. They will need their star players, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, to step up and lead the team to victory. You can't beat any team in the NBA when your stars score 26 points combined. Additionally, they will need to tighten up their defense to keep the Heat's bench in check. You cannot allow Martin, Robinson, and Kyle Lowry take turns scorching you. Jimmy Buckets is

going to get his, Bam Adebayo is going to get his. You can't allow the 6th-8th best players on a team’s roster dictate to your superstars.

Meanwhile, the Heat look to continue their dominance and clinch their spot in the NBA Finals.

With their strong performance in game 3, they have shown that they are a force to be reckoned with. If they continue to play at this level, they will be a formidable opponent for any team in the Finals. I said months ago that the only teams that should worry any top team in the West was Boston, Milwaukee, and Miami. With Miami the most worrisome because they are full of dogs, undrafted free agents and former second rounders dominate this Miami roster. But it doesn't matter where you come from, or how you get to the show, it's about whether you can ball. And at just one win away from the NBA Finals, all 15 on the Miami roster have come to play.

Overall, the Eastern Conference Finals have been a showcase of the Miami Heat's depth and ability to perform under pressure. Barring a miraculous and unprecedented comeback from the Celtics, it looks like the Heat will be advancing to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2020. We could have both conference finals wrapped up by Tuesday. Nobody had a Heat and Nuggets weep in their script.

The Celtics will have to play their best basketball yet to keep their season alive, but it won't be easy against a Miami team that is firing on all cylinders. The Heat have been dominant in all facets of the game, and it will take a Herculean effort from the Celtics to mount a comeback.

Despite the odds, the Celtics are a team with a lot of heart, and they have shown in the past that they can come back from adversity. Coach Joe Mazzula tried to take all the bullets in his post- game presser when was asked what the disconnect was. Mazzula said “I just didn’t have them ready to play.” When he was asked to elaborate, he followed up with “Whatever it was, whether it was the starting lineup, or adjustment. I just have to get them to a better place ready to play. And that’s on me.” Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown will need to pick up their coach, lead by example and be more aggressive on both ends of the court if they hope to get the Celtics back into the series. But if Boston comes out flat in game 4 the way they listlessly navigated game 3, this series will be over as quickly as possible.

The Heat, on the other hand, will look to close out the series and secure their spot in the NBA Finals. They have been playing like a well-oiled machine, with contributions coming from all corners of their roster. If they continue to play at this level, they will be a tough team to beat in the Finals. Either way, it has been an impressive playoff run for both teams and a testament to the talent and grit of the NBA's top teams.

Stay tuned for more coverage of the NBA playoffs and the race to the championship.