Miami Heat Have Tough Task Of Closing Out A Boston Celtics Team That Thrives In Pressure Situations

The Celtics are 4-0 in elimination games this postseason, including the last two against the Miami Heat.

The Boston Celtics were on the verge of being swept by the Miami Heat in the conference finals, leaving many deeming this series over. 

Now, after two consecutive blowout wins, their record improved to 4-0 facing elimination this season. Celtics star Jayson Tatum, averaging 31 points in these elimination games, said the ability to play collectively fuels them in moments of defeat.

“For some odd reason, we always seem to make it a little bit tougher on ourselves,” Tatum said. “What I do know is you can see the true character of a person, of a team, when things aren't going well. Our ability to come together and figure things out when it's not necessarily looking good for us, it's unlike any team I've been on. The core group of guys being able to respond.”

It’s not just Tatum stepping up his play, either. The Celtics average 108.3 points on 42.4 percent shooting from downtown when their backs are against the wall. It keeps Tatum from needing superstar performances.

“We've got a room full of determined tough guys,” Tatum said. “When push comes to shove you look to the left and right of you, you believe the guy next to you is going to do whatever it takes, and go down fighting if it doesn’t work out.”

The Heat need to find their own source of motivation for Game 6 at Kaseya Center. Perhaps dropping two games stimulates them to close things out Saturday night.

Jayden Armant is a contributor to Inside the Heat. He is a student at Howard University. He can be reached at jaydenshome14@gmail.com or follow him on Twitter @jaydenarmant.