Boston Celtics: 3 takeaways from C’s depleting Game 6 loss to Heat

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - MAY 27: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics looks on from the court during the second quarter against the Miami Heat in Game Six of the 2022 NBA Playoffs Eastern Conference Finals at TD Garden on May 27, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kathryn Riley/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - MAY 27: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics looks on from the court during the second quarter against the Miami Heat in Game Six of the 2022 NBA Playoffs Eastern Conference Finals at TD Garden on May 27, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kathryn Riley/Getty Images)
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Boston Celtics Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
Boston Celtics Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

Boston Celtics takeaway No. 1) C’s came out flat to start the game

If I was a first-time viewer, then you would have a tough time convincing me that the Boston Celtics were on the verge of reaching the NBA Finals heading into Friday night. They came out lifeless, uninspired, and not hungry whatsoever to get this one.

Hopefully, it’s a quick lesson this C’s team can grasp in starting games well in series-clinching scenarios. To let, Jimmy Butler get off to a scorched earth hot start offensively with little defensive resistance was jarring, as he made the Celts pay by netting his first five shots.

This was just the beginning of his 47-point Boston massacre. Another glaring issue was early foul trouble from both Grant Williams and Al Horford. This had the effect of making an already short rotation seemingly shorter.

Careless turnovers led to easy transition points from a Heat offense that thrives in the open court.

The C’s are at their best when their team defense forces the opposition to play at a certain pace, one ideally with more half-court sets where Miami is dramatically easier to guard. However, even in the halfcourt, it seemed like nets were blazing for the Heat, as they recorded 15 made triples on 43 percent shooting.

I know the saying is it’s not about how you start, it’s how you finish. Well, playing from behind for a majority of the game has disaster written all over it.

This was Game 6 in TD Garden and the hunger of a collective core that has yet to sniff the NBA Finals was not present.