On April 22, Beijing time, the first round of the NBA playoffs G1 against the Celtics ushered in the challenge of the Miami Heat, the two teams met again on the stage of the playoffs, last season the Heat was eighth in the East, successively defeated the Bucks, 76ers, Celtics, and reached the finals, but this season the Heat is difficult to continue the miracle, Butler and Rozier are absent due to injury, which brings huge losses to the team. As the game got underway, the Celtics quickly got into shape, opening with a 14-0 spurt and putting the Heat into a scoring drought on the defensive end. It wasn't until Bam Adebayo stepped up that he broke the scoring deadlock for the Heat. Entering the second quarter, the Heat once pressed the score close, but Hauser's three consecutive three-pointers allowed the Celtics to regain the initiative on the court and widen the gap to double digits again. The Celtics' offense is like a rainbow, and they are constantly expanding their lead.
In the second half, Harkes' consecutive scores gave the Heat hope of narrowing the gap, but the Celtics' outside line was on fire again, and a wave of waves opened the difference. After that, the Heat's offense stalled again, and the margin on the court once widened to more than 30 points. Although in the fourth quarter, the Heat struggled to recover some points, they were ultimately unable to recover due to the large margin of points before. In the end, the Celtics easily defeated the Heat with a score of 114-94 and made a good start to the first round of the playoffs. After watching this game, I think there are 8 indisputable facts in front of me.
First, the Celtic system is really impeccable. From the lineup configuration to the level of strength, they have shown an overwhelming advantage, as long as everything goes according to plan, they seem destined to sweep their opponents and advance smoothly. Tatum was 7 of 18 in this game, with an average feel, 1 of 8 from 3 points, but 18 shots in exchange for 23 points, the efficiency was okay, and he also got 10 rebounds. Brown was efficient, 6-of-12, 3-of-5 from 3-pointers, 17 points, 8 rebounds and 3 assists, while Pozin and White's efficiency values were outrageous, Pozin was 7-of-13, 4-of-8 from 3-pointers, got 18 points and 4 rebounds, White was 6-of-10, 8-of-3 gave you 4, 20 points, and a team-high plus/minus of +24. Horford off the bench scored 10 points, and Hauser was really strong, scoring 12 points on 4-of-6 from 3-pointers.
Second, I have to admit that Celtic has always been known for team operations, and in addition to the double tanhua, other players also have strong individual ability and ball-holding ability. In this game, they played a three-point demeanor. Of course, if the opponent's perimeter defense is good enough, the Celtics may take fewer three-point shots, while the number of two-point shots may increase accordingly.
Third, it has to be said that the Celtics have no opponents in the East. The 76ers' Embiid knows that he is fighting with injuries, and it is difficult to go long, and the Bucks have been struggling all season, and when the playoffs come, Brother Alphabet is still injured, it is estimated that it will be difficult for them to support the first round, the Pacers are still too young, and it is difficult to match the Celtics in terms of experience, although the Knicks have good combat power and the team has a lot of talents, but Brunson's height is due to injury, and it is difficult to be the opponent of the Celtics. And the Celtics' game in the East, what needs to be paid attention to is how to ensure that Pozin is healthy and plays all the playoffs.
Fourth, on the Heat, we hardly see anything that can complete the "Black Eight" Signs of feat, after Butler's injury, the team lacked defensive strikers on the outside, and the Heat's top scorer Herro was embarrassed, he took 13 shots in this game in exchange for 11 points, plus or minus -12, although Adebayo shot 10 of 18 in this game, got 24 points and 6 rebounds, but he is not the kind of interior line that can consume a lot of ball power to attack, so it is difficult for them to match the intensity of the Celtics, being swept is inevitable, and the Celtics will never give them any chances, let alone release water.
Fifth, Riley took Herro as a baby, which was obviously a wrong choice, he and Poole are the same type, and their scoring ability is not as good as Maxey. Judging from the performance of the game, Herro did look a little weak in the face of high-intensity confrontations, and the performance on the defensive end could even cause damage to the team. As a shooter, his role in the Heat's lineup doesn't seem to be outstanding. It wasn't for nothing that the Heat made it to the Finals without him last season. The Heat should not hesitate to trade him in the offseason in exchange for a scoring powerhouse that can be more playful.
Sixth, the Heat players need to have a correct mentality! Some episodes in this game still make people pinch a cold sweat. The Heat's defensive moves were quite rough, and Bam Adebayo almost knocked Xiaobai away when he blocked the pick-and-roll, but he didn't get a foul call. Martin's defense was even more aggressive, almost injuring Tatum, but fortunately, Tatum's physical fitness was excellent and he withstood such an impact. Mazzulla should be prepared to deal with this, and his on-the-spot command really needs to be strengthened. In the case of determining the big score lead, he can rotate players in time to keep the main team, and he really can't be injured in the playoffs, and he can't afford to be injured.