Boston Celtics: Inside Ime Udoka’s momentum-shifting Game 3 speech

Boston Celtics HC Ime Udoka isn’t the fiery yeller that Doc Rivers is, featuring a style more akin to Miami Heat HC Erik Spoelstra: cool, calm, collected, but stern. That sternness led to a Game 3 victory Wednesday night at the T.D. Garden.

The Cs had blown a lead as high as 14 in the third quarter, trailing the Golden State Warriors by the 3:45 mark. Ultimately, they regained the lead and ceded just 11 points in the fourth quarter to stifle the comeback attempt and seal up a 116-100 win.

How did Udoka fire up the troops to fuel a 34-17 run in the final 15 minutes to break the 1-1 tie in Boston’s favor?

Allegedly, Udoka told the Boston Celtics not to play like a**holes…

Ime Udoka stressed high-percentage shot attempts for the Boston Celtics

The Cs built their lead on Wednesday in the first half by getting to the rim with frequency and bullying the Dubs on the boards. There is a marked athletic gap between the aging Warriors and spry Celtics, and it was exploited in the first half and fourth quarter.

Udoka pointed out the team’s game-plan post-game, which fell apart when Boston were playing like, well, you know…

"“Offensively it was really to keep our composure and not get sped up. I felt last game we weren’t our best at attacking the rim and finding our outlets. Our spacing was much better tonight. Guys being patient and finding the driving lanes and getting to the basket. The second-chance points and offensive rebounds were big for us.”"

Game 4 takes place Friday night. If the Cs have figured out how to assert their will on the Warriors, Banner 18 may not be too far out of reach.