The Top 5 Plays from Friday's Celtics-Heat Game
Jaylen Brown's banking in a three from 30 feet to force overtime, Boston's best ball movement of the game, and Jayson Tatum's two-handed flush, headline the breakdown of top five plays from Friday's matchup between the Celtics and Heat.
Sometimes It's Better to be Lucky Than Good
The screen from Derrick White gets Tyler Herro switched onto Jaylen Brown. When Herro reaches in vain for a steal, his momentum takes him toward the sideline, opening a path for Brown to drive middle.
That leads Brown into three defenders, but sometimes, it's better to be lucky than good, and the shot he hoists while falling to the floor hits off the front rim with enough spin to propel forward and through the net.
Jayson Tatum's Two-Handed Flush
Again, a highlight-worthy play that starts with Herro struggling to navigate a screen. In this instance, it's the slight shove from Jayson Tatum. That gets the latter open with room to build momentum, coming downhill with enough force to render Kyle Lowry and Bam Adebayo being ready to prevent him from getting to the rim irrelevant.
Boston's Best Ball movement of the Night
The play above featured the best ball movement Boston had on any possession in Friday's loss.
Marcus Smart spins past Jimmy Butler, holding Herro's attention as he gets into the paint. That allows Brown to pop open at the left wing. The Heat recovery nicely, but when Al Horford attacks Butler's closeout, with Kyle Lowry watching the ball, Grant Williams cuts baseline, and Horford dishes to him for a two-handed slam.
Jaylen Brown Forces Overtime
The Tatum screen doesn't dislodge Butler from Brown, and Williams doesn't make contact on his pick, forcing Brown to collect the inbounds pass further out than intended. But as Brown demonstrated earlier, sometimes it is better to be lucky than good.
Jaylen Brown Crosses Up Haywood Highsmith
The Celtics turn to a play where Tatum picks for Brown. Interestingly enough, in a game they consistently targeted Herro, this screen gets him switched off the ball-handler.
But Brown against Haywood Highsmith is still a mismatch in Boston's favor. The former crosses up the latter, then cashes in on a clean look at a jump shot from the elbow.
Further Reading
The Top 5 Plays from Wednesday's Celtics-Heat Game
Al Horford Signs Contract Extension That Paves the Way for Him to Finish His Career as a Celtic
Here's Where Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown Each Ranked in Latest MVP Ladder
Are Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown Best Duo in NBA? Celtics Star Weighs in
Jaylen Brown's Comments After Celtics Win Should Scare Opposing Teams