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Boston Celtics: 3 reasons fans should still be confident in Cs winning ECF

By Don Porcaro Jr

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - DECEMBER 04: Kemba Walker #8 of the Boston Celtics reacts during the second half of the game between the Boston Celtics and the Miami Heat at TD Garden on December 04, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Celtics defeat the Heat 112-93. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - DECEMBER 04: Kemba Walker #8 of the Boston Celtics reacts during the second half of the game between the Boston Celtics and the Miami Heat at TD Garden on December 04, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Celtics defeat the Heat 112-93. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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Boston Celtics (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Boston Celtics (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

The Celtics still have the more talented team

It’s no secret on paper Boston has the more talented team. Three former All-Stars, an All-Star snub in Jaylen Brown, and an All-NBA Defensive first teamer in Marcus Smart. If this series was about 2020 accolades, the Boston Celtics would have won in four. But this is the NBA, and sometimes great coaching and a gritty team with a big-time closer gets the job done.

The Cs have two of those things. The team is filled with grit, and Brad Stevens is still a top-five coach in the league…at minimum. So should the edge at having a closer really put Miami over the top in the series? So far it has, but averages always even out.

All you have to do is look back to last series. A buzzer beater in Game 3 and a dagger in Game 6 kept the Raptors in the series, despite Boston having a chance to close both of those games out. The Celtics were the better team, but lost those games. They could afford two loses simply based on the fact they were the more talented team.

It’s similar in this series against the Heat. If Boston plays up to their potential, they can afford to give up a game or two. It’s not the ideal way to win a series and it for sure won’t work for a team like the Lakers who can match (and exceed) their talent. Strictly for this series though, the Boston Celtics can afford to lose a close game like they did in game one.

Speaking of learning from the past, let’s not forget the Raptors were down 2-0 and 3-2 last series and came within a quarter of beating the Boston Celtics. Do I even dare mention the 2018 LeBron-led Cavaliers who found themselves down 2-0 and 3-2 and beat Boston on their home court in Game 7?

More talented teams can afford to lose a game or two–it’s just the way the NBA works. The Celtics are the more talented team and  so, naturally, I fully expect them to come out and take Game Four. This may still be a seven game series, but trust that in this stage of the NBA playoffs, talent wins 9 times out of 10.

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