One at a time: 3 keys for the Boston Celtics as they look to make history

Stay connected in the halfcourt defensively

The defense has been the talk of this team as its intensity has weakened throughout the first three games of this ECF. Some of it was the Heat knocking down some remarkable perimeter shots, but for the most part, Boston’s defense has been far from what it was during the 2022 postseason. Heading into Game 4, the Boston Celtics were 10th in defensive rating of the teams in the playoffs. Mazzulla’s men have to find a way to do what they did in Game 4 on a regular basis.

Boston had five steals and six blocks in the final 24 minutes of the contest, forcing the Heat to turn the ball over nine times. The Celts rotated much better than they had all series, getting out on shooters quicker while entering into the air space of Miami’s guards. Help the helper and rotate accordingly. Boston has to move as a unit in the halfcourt with the amount of shooting the Heat have at their disposal.

When the ball goes up on the rim, it has to be all hands on deck to snatch the defensive rebound out of the air. The Cs did a brilliant job on Tuesday of using their active hands to turn the opponent over in critical situations. The odds are far against this team and rightfully so, but if this ball club can somehow bring that type of defensive physicality for three succussive contests, the impossible could evolve into the conceivable.