Jrue Holiday from the Celtics shared some light-hearted moments with the media after Boston’s win against the Heat in Game 3.
The Boston Celtics boasted the top offensive rating in the regular season, utilizing their well-rounded offense to dominate opponents. However, in their 104-84 triumph over the Miami Heat in Game 3, it was their defensive prowess that stood out.
A quick glance at the first-quarter box score reveals the Celtics’ heightened defensive effort, especially after conceding a staggering 23 three-pointers to Miami in Game 2. In the opening 12 minutes of Game 3, the Heat managed just 12 points, shooting a dismal 5-for-21 from the field.
While Miami’s shooting regression from their record-breaking Game 2 performance was expected, the Celtics’ defensive impact went beyond mere missed shots.
They forced turnovers, maintained a physical presence, and disrupted the Heat’s offensive rhythm, preventing them from finding their groove.
Celtics defensive specialist Jrue Holiday was proud of his team’s performance on that side of the ball and joked about the all-around defensive effort, per Souichi Terada of MassLive.
“We got great 1-on-1 defenders,” he said. “Before I was here, they talked about guys could play defense. Now that I got here, they all play defense. You talk about the white guys, the white guys play defense.”
Since joining Boston this past offseason, Holiday has been a defensive anchor for the team, stepping up in the absence of Marcus Smart. Despite his quiet offensive performance with just three points, the 33-year-old showcased his playmaking skills and contributed defensively with a steal and two blocks.
Regarding the “white guys” mentioned earlier, Kristaps Porzingis stood out with his defensive prowess, registering two blocks and causing problems for Miami’s Bam Adebayo throughout the game. Payton Pritchard also made a defensive impact by forcing turnovers that led to scoring opportunities.
In Game 2, Miami had impressive shooting percentages, but in Game 3, they struggled, shooting lower percentages from both the field and beyond the arc.
This decline can be attributed partly to natural regression but also to the Celtics relying more on their defense rather than their three-point shooting.
When asked about the Celtics’ defensive strengths, head coach Joe Mazzulla praised the team’s individual and collective defense, highlighting Jrue Holiday’s defensive influence, Tatum’s defensive effort, and the contributions of players like Porzingis and Al Horford.
“I thought everybody—I thought our bench came in and really pushed the pace on both ends of the floor,” Mazzulla continued. “So, just connected, tough, physical, individual defense. Team defense.”
Celtics star Jayson Tatum specifically shouted out his squad’s defense as well during a post-game interview with TNT.
“That’s where we’re gonna win games at, the defensive end,” he told NBA insider Chris Haynes. “Can’t always rely on somebody getting hot … if you can get stops, you can figure it out.”
Boston’s success in the regular season, including Game 1, often relied on their three-point shooting, but their Game 3 victory came despite shooting below 30% from beyond the arc, showcasing their defensive resilience.
In the playoffs, teams must adapt to various challenges, and the Celtics will need to win using different strategies. Miami could introduce new defensive tactics in Game 4, adding to the unpredictability.
As they face off at the Kaseya Center for Game 4, Boston must be prepared for any adjustments on both offense and defense to maintain their series lead and secure a 3-1 advantage