The Celtics had a chance at history, but fell short. And they have nobody to blame but themselves.
At home in a Game 7 with a shot to be the first NBA team to overturn a 0-3 series hole, the Celtics spit the bit in the Eastern Conference finals. The Heat blew them out, 103-84, and made their own history — becoming only the second No. 8 seed to reach the NBA Finals.
Whatever momentum the Celtics should’ve carried over from their stunning Game 6 victory they squandered through their shoddy play. They didn’t move the ball, didn’t run off the ball, and their season-low in scoring led to a season-ending loss.
“Words can’t really explain it. It’s tough,” said Boston guard Marcus Smart. “We had a lot of ups and downs this season. Starting the season off with, obviously losing our coach and then getting a new one. … Things weren’t always perfect for us, but we continued to compete. We were a little inconsistent this year, but I’m still proud of the way we fought. We just got to get better.”
Boston should’ve been better. They had the home-court advantage. Better health (until Jayson Tatum tweaked his ankle). More talent.
But talent isn’t enough.
Teamwork, temperament and toughness trumped it on Monday night at TD Garden. Witness Jimmy Butler and Caleb Martin.
Playoff Jimmy is Miami’s leader. A year earlier to the day, the Heat had dropped a heartbreaking Game 7 on their home court. But Monday they flipped the script.
“They made us get better,” said Miami coach Erik Spoelstra. “Last year was extremely painful. We thought about it all season long.”
And it clearly drove them. After last year’s Game 7 loss, Butler predicted, “We’re going to be right back in the same situation, and we’re going to get it done.” And even after losing three straight in this series to teeter on the brink of ignominy, Butler guaranteed victory in Boston. And Monday he delivered on both vows.
Butler had 28 points, seven rebounds, six assists and three steals to be named the series MVP. And that award could’ve gone to Martin, part of the Heat’s cadre of undrafted finds. He had 26 points, 10 boards and hit 4 of 6 from deep.
After not playing a single second in last year’s Game 7, Martin was invaluable. He was stout defensively against Tatum and Jaylen Brown, and was Miami’s most consistent player throughout the series.
“That might have surprised y’all,” Butler said of Martin. “To the untrained eye, he just looks like he’s an undrafted guy who has been in the G-League … started on a two-way contract. That’s what it looks like to y’all. To us, he’s a hell of a player.”
The Celtics have All-NBA players in Tatum and Brown, and a better roster. But they were inconsistent all season under Joe Mazzulla, gave away games in these playoffs, and capitulated Monday night.
Boston missed its first 12 3-point attempts, and Mazzulla never found a way to get them cleaner looks. Asked what had gone wrong, he said, “We shot 21 percent from 3.” Pressed on whether they’d become too reliant on the 3-point shot, he tersely replied “No.”
Whether the Boston roster looks the same next year, their teamwork from the top down has to change. With TD Garden once a fortress, they lost six home games in these playoffs, three in this series alone.
“Yeah, this is difficult because this building for so many years has been so special. It’s very disappointing losing these games here,” said Al Horford.
“For whatever reason we just kind of let loose at times here at home, just thinking we’ll be fine and we’ll find our way. That’s something we’ll have to look at and make sure we shift that mindset of protecting home, being more aggressive. … That’s something that we have to be better at.”
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