Well folks, this is it.
The Boston Celtics woke up this morning with their season at a crossroads.
There are 2 options and 2 options only for them today.
Win Game 3 and get back into this series
2.
Lose Game 3 and your season is over
That is what today’s 48 minutes will dictate.
Win, and you’re down 2-1 after three games the exact same way you were last ECF.
Everything is still alive.
Lose, and you’ve officially pulled a Lakers and it’s a wrap for you.
We all know the line.
No team in the history of the NBA has ever made a 3-0 comeback.
This will be tough enough as is.
That is how today needs to be treated.
Consider it an elimination game.
Play as if there’s no tomorrow.
For the first time in this series, play a full 48 fucking minutes.
The margin for error is gone, but there’s no point in harping on the past.
Games 1 & 2 are over.
you might’t change those, but the Celts can do something about their future.
Today is about pride.
Today is about guts.
Today is about punching back.
None of that should be a surprise to any Celtic that touches the floor tonight.
Game 3 is about Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown playing up to their talent level and leading by example.
Offensively, defensively, it all starts with them.
This is why they made All NBA.
With their backs against the wall, the best players need to show up.
They can do it, we’ve seen them do it.
Game 3 is about guys like Marcus Smart doing more good than harm.
Take care of the ball, dictate the pace, and help your teammates succeed.
This is not a time for boneheaded passes or careless turnovers.
It’s not a time for low percentage looks or an inability to guard your yard.
Defensively, they need to be as lock down as we’ve seen this entire playoff run.
Tony Brothers is working today, so everyone needs to be cautious.
For Al, kindly just make an open shot.
For Rob, play with energy and with force, just like you did in Game 2.
Game 3 is about the other role guys simply doing what they’ve done all year.
That was the whole point of adding this depth.
For this team to be successful and win on the road, the production of the depth is crucial.
We just saw what the Heats guys were able to do in Boston.
Strus, Caleb Martin, Duncan Robinson, they showed up on the road.
For the Celts to stay alive, their role players will have to do the same.
Game 3 is about Joe being ready to adapt.
If that’s a lineup change, make it.
If that’s a timeout to stop a run, call it.
If that means a change in strategy, he cannot be stubborn.
There is no more room for any of that shit.
There is no need to be different.
We saw it in Game 6 & 7 last series, we need to see it again tonight.
The formula for this team to be successful has not changed, nor will it ever change.
All I am asking is they simply play to their potential on both ends for an entire game.
That is enough to win.
That means getting stops on one end and not playing like a bunch of dickheads on the other.
That means trusting your teammates and not trying to go 1 on 5.
That means valuing every single possession.
That means communicating and figuring things out together.
Through 2 games, the Celtics have folded under the pressure.
They were punched in the face and never found a way to punch back.
That needs to end tonight.
It means nothing to be “the more talented” team on paper.
Who gives a shit about that right now.
Talent means nothing if you don’t live up to it.
That is what I need the Celts to do tonight.
Live up to your talent and get back into this series.
Make the Heat start to feel a little pressure.
If not, your season is essentially over and that’s just fact.
