Welcome to the Basketball Hangover. We are in the conference finals!
Gordon Hayward returned just in time for the Boston Celtics.
(PHOTO CREDIT: Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images.)
The Celtics were down, 2-0, going into this series. It could only be a good thing that Gordon Hayward was coming back to them for Game 3.
And it definitely helped them. Hayward provided that extra playmaker the Celtics needed (6 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals). He also gave Brad Stevens more line-ups to play with. The extra wrinkle for Boston baffled Miami throughout the game. Tyler Herro tried to keep Miami around in the first half with 18 points but Boston’s wing tandem couldn’t be stopped.
Quite frankly, the game wasn’t great to watch in the second half. Boston did their job as they kept the Heat at bay for most of that game. They led by 20 in the fourth quarter. I had said that they can’t let Miami get close.
But you know the Heat. They will fight no matter what. They got some shooting going from Duncan Robinson and Bam Adebayo‘s lay-up brought the deficit down to 5 points with 55 seconds left. But that’s where the comeback halted as Marcus Smart sank clutch free throws. The Heat didn’t have enough time as the Celtics finally won a game in this series.
The Celtics had four players score 20 or more; Jayson Tatum was two dimes short of a triple-double (25-14-8). The Heat shot under 39 percent from the field. They just couldn’t get it going until the end.
Jimmy Butler mentioned that they didn’t bring it and they’re tired of playing from behind. Game 4 is going to be really pivotal. It’s either going to be a tied series or a 3-1 advantage for Miami. Yes, we’ve seen two 3-1 comebacks in these playoffs but trying to win three straight games is always a daunting task.
Heat/Celtics will have three days off and resume on Wednesday as the Western Conference catches up.
Bullet Passes
Goran Dragic has had a banner postseason but Game 3 was easily his worst as he went 2 for 10 from the field. He ended with 11 points and 5 assists.
Hayward is going to stay in the bubble and not leave to witness the birth of his son. I mean, I don’t know. I’m sure there was some agreement on this.
Can we just be done with the talk on who voted for who in the NBA season awards? Also, I’m not sure if we need more NBA season awards. There are going to be arguments no matter what.
NBA Playoff Scoreboard
Game 3: #3 BOS 117 vs #5 MIA 106 (MIA leads series, 2-1)
Watch This Play
Jaylen Brown rejects Dragic. And then Tatum finishes with the power slam.
Jaylen Brown blocks Dragic and Jayson Tatum throws down a mean dunk!!! What a sequence from the Celtics young bucks. #HeaTTwitter x #BleedGreen #WholeNewGame #NBAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/TajEEiEj1v
— Italo Santana (@BulletClubIta) September 20, 2020
The East will take a break as the West catches up. Starting with Game 2 tonight! Hope everyone in the bubble stays safe.
Rey-Rey is on Twitter at @TheNoLookPass.
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