Rich’s Take: Celtics’ Three Stars in Miracle in Miami

Nov 9, 2013; Miami, FL, USA; Boston Celtics shooting guard Jeff Green (8) drives to the basket as Miami Heat shooting guard Dwyane Wade (3) defends during the first half at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Boston Celtics fans – are you kidding me?

The Celtics are on a three-game winning streak, which is impressive in and of itself, given the fact that this team is missing Rajon Rondo and is made up mostly of spare parts that the Cs acquired in trades.  The fact that the most recent win game on the road against the defending champions, the Miami Heat, makes the streak even that much more impressive.

But to win like this?!?

Un-be-freaking-lievabe.  So who were the three Boston Celtics’ players who made this victory possible, in my opinion?  Let’s check it out.

Third Star: Take Your Pick

I won’t lie – it’s impossible for me to choose between Jared Sullinger and Jordan Crawford.  Both had great numbers – 12 points and 8 rebounds for Sully, 15 points and 4 dimes for Crawford – and both made key plays when the Celtics needed them to do just that.  Seems like I have been using these two guys’ names quite a bit so far this season, which is a good sign.

Second Star: Avery Bradley

Nov 9, 2013; Miami, FL, USA; Boston Celtics point guard Avery Bradley (0) drives to the basket as Miami Heat shooting guard Dwyane Wade (3) defends during the first quarter at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Thank you, Brad Stevens, for realizing that Avery Bradley is not your point guard.  Seriously – using Crawford and Phil Pressey to handle the rock probably saved Bradley’s season.  Now that he’s free from he responsibility of having to handle the ball all of the time, Bradley is able to worry about two thing she can actually do: shooting his J and getting to the rim, both of which he did last to devastating effect.  Bradley torched the Heat for 17 points, including a number of huge baskets that kept the Celtics close during the fourth quarter.  Had it not been for Bradley, the Cs would not have been in a position to enjoy the late game heroics of . . .

First Star: Jeff Green

Here’s a no-brainer, picking Green as my top star.  And it’s not even because of his game-winning shot . . . or should I say, it’s not JUST because of that dagger.  Green was a factor all night long – his 24 points didn’t all come on that last-second shot, folks! – cementing his reputation as a major thorn in the Miami Heat’s side.  Perhaps the best part about his big shot?  The fact that he had been fairly quiet in the fourth quarter, a trend which never ceases to amaze me.  Why isn’t Green getting a huge proportion of touches at the end of the game?  It’s a question worth considering . . . later.  For now, I’m just happy coach Stevens drew up the play that DID get the ball on Green’s hands, because the results are going to be playing over and over again in my brain for a few days.

Whether you agree or disagree with me, you should let me hear it!  Leave a comment below, or @theamazingMrS on Twitter!!!