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"3-and-D" formula works as Celtics roll over Heat, 110-97

 A combo of in-your-shirt defense and efficient 3-point shooting (41% on treys) worked to pefrfection as an energized Celtics squad rolled over the Miami Heat, 110-97 - bringing the series to 3-2 in favor of Miami.


This game never seemed in doubt as The Green never took a play off, at either end of the court. The extra effort was always there, hitting the floor - grabbing offensive boards (Al Horford with 11 rebounds, 5 offensive) - and disrupting virtually everything the Heat attempted. 

And then there was the offense. The Celtics shot selection was close-to-perfection. They hit 50.6% of their field goals and 41% on threes. (per Joe Mazzulla):

“The last two games we’re getting the advantage quick,” Boston coach Joe Mazzulla said, “and then the two-on-ones are there, and then we’re reading the two-on-one. When we play fast but organized, that’s when we’re at our best.”

For a change, the two high scorers were not named Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. It was the starting backcourt of Derrick White and Marcus Smart that took scoring honors with 24 and 23 points, respectively. 

White hit 73% from the field and 75% on 3-pointers, while Smart was 56% and 67%, respectivbely. Had we mentioned fine shot selection?

Suffocating defense-fast, organized pace-mindfull shot selection-avoiding any chance of Clutch Time. It all worked so damn well. This is the Boston team that fans came to see. They hope to see it again in Game-6 - and Maybe Game-7.

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