Inside The Celtics

Celtics Address 'Letting Go of the Rope' After Game 1 Loss to Heat

It's paramount the Celtics keep defense at the forefront of their identity.

Bobby Krivitsky

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No team plays possum better than the Miami Heat. Like their franchise player, Jimmy Butler, they conserved their energy for this time of year. It nearly backfired in the play-in tournament, losing to the Hawks and almost getting bounced by the Bulls.

But here they are, back in the Eastern Conference Finals. Would they be here if Giannis Antetokounmpo didn't injure his back in Game 1 of their first-round series against the Bucks? This author doesn't think so.

But that's not how it went down. The reality is that the Heat are once again four three wins from the NBA Finals.

So, what did they do in the first half of Game 1 at TD Garden? They slow-played the Celtics.

There was no defensive resistance as Miami surrendered 40 points in the paint in 24 minutes. And the visitors' offense operated at a snail's pace, making it more difficult for them to score.

But in the second half, the Heat throttled down, erasing a nine-point deficit, outscoring the hosts 46-25, entering the fourth quarter leading by 12.

Boston gave itself a chance in the final frame, but six turnovers, four in the last five minutes, and Malcolm Brogdon missing a free throw that would've trimmed the deficit to three, only to see Caleb Martin bury a shot from behind the arc at the other end, helping Miami close out a 123-116 series-opening win on the road.

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After the loss, a passionate Joe Mazzulla stated, "We won three out of the four quarters. We lost one quarter because we dropped our sense of urgency," later expressing, "We let go of the rope."

The first-year bench boss also conveyed, "We have to adjust our mindset regardless of what we're doing in one quarter. We have to raise our level of urgency. We have to raise our mindset, knowing that they're going to respond. And that's what this series is about, how long can we stay the more competitive, the more physical, the more disciplined basketball team."

Jaylen Brown, who finished with 22 points, nine rebounds, and five assists, but also had six turnovers, said of the Celtics letting go of the rope in the second half, "It's a choice. It's a decision. Just come out and play with a different mentality.

"We came out too cool. It was almost like we were playing a regular-season game, like, it's the Eastern Conference Finals, like, 'come on.' We've got to play with more intensity than we did today. And we've just got to be better, including me."

Marcus Smart, who registered 13 points, a game-high 11 assists, two steals, and only two giveaways, voiced, "You get tired of doing the little things sometimes."

Pointing to the role poor spacing played in Boston committing ten second-half turnovers, the Celtics' floor general expressed, "We have a lot of great players, but when we're all on top of each other, nobody can be great," adding, "We've got to make sure we do those little things, and we can't get bored with those. And we've got to realize what has got us the lead or what was working for us."

Save for Game 7 against the Sixers, the third quarter has been a problem for the Celtics for multiple seasons. It's at the root of why they dropped Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals on their home court.

They're dealing with a team that does a better job than any other at not beating itself. To return to the NBA Finals, Boston has to stick with putting defense at the forefront of its identity. That benefits the Celtics at both ends of the floor and helps them stay in the moment, not worrying about missing shots or coasting because of a double-digit lead; instead, keeping a firm grip on the rope.

Further Reading

Here's What Stood Out in Celtics' Game 1 Loss: Heat's Third-Quarter Haymaker Propels Them to 1-0 Lead

Malcolm Brogdon Opens Up About Sacrificing as Celtics' Sixth Man: 'It’s Not Easy; It Really Isn’t'

NBA Draft Lottery Yields Unfavorable Result for Celtics

With Defense Key to Celtics Staying a Step Ahead of Heat, Joe Mazzulla Confirms Robert Williams Sticking in Starting Lineup

The Celtics are Motivated to Win a Championship for Al Horford, 'The Guy We've Followed All Season'

Jayson Tatum Discusses His Relationship with Celtics Fans: 'I Love Being Here'

Jaylen Brown Salutes TD Garden Crowd After Game 7: 'It Was Amazing'

Jayson Tatum Discusses Historic Game 7 Performance: 'That's When I Play My Best'

Here's What Stood Out in Game 7 Win vs. Sixers: Celtics Save Their Best Performance for When They Needed it Most

Jaylen Brown Discusses Whether Making an All-NBA Team Provides Clarity About His Future

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Bobby Krivitsky
BOBBY KRIVITSKY

Bobby Krivitsky's experiences include covering the NBA as a credentialed reporter for Basketball Insiders. He's also a national sports talk host for SportsMap Radio, a network airing on 96 radio stations throughout the country. Additionally, he was a major-market host, update anchor, and producer for IMG Audio, and he worked for Bleacher Report as an NFL and NBA columnist.

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