Boston Celtics Dominate Miami Heat in Season Opener
BOSTON — If there’s one thing we’ve learned from the Eastern Conference finals matchups between the Miami Heat and the Boston Celtics over the past four years, it’s that the Heat never give up. However, in the closing seconds of last night’s game, the Heat had little choice but to accept defeat against the retooled Celtics.
The Celtics showcased their new lineup, featuring four All-Stars including leading scorer Derrick White. With just 18 seconds remaining in a two-possession game, White drew two defenders and found an open Jaylen Brown for a game-sealing 3-pointer. The Celtics secured a 119-111 victory over the Heat at TD Garden.
This is a different Celtics team from the one that fell short of erasing a 3-0 conference finals deficit against Miami. Boston added valuable players in Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis, while the Heat experienced roster changes of their own, losing two playoff starters and missing out on a potential Damian Lillard trade.
“They’re different,” acknowledged Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra. “We’ve been competing against them in the playoffs for four years now. Both teams have evolved. That’s just how the league and life work. So they’re different.”
Different is an understatement. The Celtics are stacked with talent, as all five starters scored in double figures, highlighted by White’s impressive 28-point performance. White and Brown combined for 26 of Boston’s 32 fourth-quarter points, contributing to the team’s victory. Defensively, the Celtics held the Heat to a dismal 4-for-19 shooting in the final quarter.
Second-year Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla expressed satisfaction with the team’s performance but recognized the need for improvement. “For Game 2 of what we’re trying to do, it’s a good start, but we’ve got a long way to go,” Mazzulla said.
However, if the Celtics can continue executing in close games, their previous struggles with adversity may be a thing of the past. The additions of Holiday and Porzingis have alleviated some of the pressure and allowed the team to play with poise and confidence.
“We played with a sense of poise,” Mazzulla remarked. “We attacked the right matchups, made good reads, and defensively, we made timely possessions.” The defensive efforts of White and Holiday, both All-Defensive caliber guards, were instrumental in the victory.
The Celtics’ success also stems from the collective efforts of their talented roster. Jayson Tatum, an All-NBA first-team forward, emphasized the importance of each player performing at their best to maximize the team’s potential.
On the offensive end, the Celtics have a multitude of options, making it challenging for opposing teams to guard them. Brown acknowledged that teams will adjust their defensive strategies, but the Celtics are prepared to adapt accordingly and continue playing their game.
The presence of Holiday, acquired from the Milwaukee Bucks, has had a significant impact on the team’s success. White praised Holiday’s unselfishness and his ability to contribute in various ways, both offensively and defensively.
The Celtics’ bench will need to step up in the coming games, as they struggled to produce significant points against the Heat. However, with their starters consistently performing at a high level, the bench can focus on fulfilling their roles and making valuable contributions when needed.
The Celtics’ dominance on the boards was a key factor in their victory, out-rebounding the Heat and capitalizing on second-chance opportunities. Oshae Brissett’s offensive rebounding provided a spark for the team early in the game.
“We’ve got real stars on this team,” said Brissett. “We know our strengths and how to play to them, regardless of who we’re facing. We’re going to play our game every single time.”
This Celtics team knows that to achieve their goal of a championship, every player needs to be at their best. They’ve learned from past disappointments and are focused on their growth and improvement.
“It’s only two games in, and we’ve still got a lot of work to do,” said Brown. “But I’m looking forward to it.”
The Celtics will face the winless Washington Wizards in their next game on Monday, aiming to maintain their unbeaten record.
