All looked well after the Boston Celtics triumphed over the Toronto Raptors in seven games in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, but things changed when the C’s met Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo, and the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals. The Celtics quickly fell behind 2-0 to a Miami team that was coming off a five-game series win in which they eliminated the top-seeded Milwaukee Bucks. In Game 1, the Celtics let a 14-point lead completely vanish in the fourth quarter as the Heat outscored the C’s 35-23. The Celtics would eventually lose in overtime 117-114. Game 2 held more of the same problems for Boston, as the Celtics once again let a double-digit lead slip away in the second half, ultimately losing 106-101 and digging themselves into a 2-0 series hole.
The Celtics went on to win Game 3 and lose Game 4. It was a refreshing sight to see the Celtics not give up a big lead in Game 3, as their largest lead was 20 in the game. They also made significant bounds in the paint, where they outscored Miami 60-36 and challenged Bam Adebayo at the rim. However, Game 4 was a different story, where Boston once again seemed unable to get going and ultimately lost 112-109.
Friday’s win-or-go-home game held a memorable 3rd quarter for Boston, in which the C’s had started the quarter trailing before going on a 41-25 run to grab the lead. The Celtics ended up winning Game 5 by a score of 121-108, characterized by better ball movement and more success at driving to the rim.
Unfortunately, the Celtics were unable to take advantage of the momentum granted to them following Game 5 when they headed into Game 6. It was a tight contest for most of the night, with the lead alternating between both teams until the Heat came out on top in the end, 125-113. For a Celtics team that seemed poised to go all the way, it was certainly a disappointing end that fell short of many fans’ expectations.
However, this is a young and close-knit team, made up of talent that is still developing from season-to-season and reliable veterans that give the team a boost both on the court and in the locker room. There is no reason to read too much into the pattern of this team consistently making it far into the playoffs and then falling short; in truth, the Celtics now are a very different team than they were as little as two years ago, and it is one with a much higher future potential. Get excited for what this roster will bring in the years to come — their era has only just started.
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