The Heat won the first two games of the Conference Finals against the Celtics, who were heavy favorites before the start of the series. No one explains this to them, much less a win at the legendary TD Garden against a team whose men are all healthy.
Ahead of Game 3 play this Sunday, May 21 at the Cacia Center (8:30 p.m. TV: TNT and Radio 98.3 FM in Spanish), there are a number of factors that have tipped the balance 2-0 in favor of the Miami team. becomes life or death for the Boston quintet.
After their two wins, the road to the NBA Finals is open, but first they must win at least one of their two home games. The second will take place on Tuesday the 23rd at the same time and on the same stage.
The first factor in both these opening wins has been the stellar performance of Jimmy Butler, who has set the tone in this series and appeared at key moments. Jimmy averaged 21.5 points, 4 assists and one steal against Boston, but his game is much more than that.
In the same instance last season after the Heat’s elimination by the Celtics, Jimmy predicted that revenge would ensue and that is why they have taken these conference finals so seriously, looking to win every game at a masterful level. are playing
Grant Williams’ mistake facing Butler in Game 2 cost Boston dearly.
The second factor is that it doesn’t matter whether the opponent is holding the advantage or playing their best basketball. The Miami team, unlike the Celtics, has already gone through these situations throughout the season and knows how to face them and come out on top, being a team that has come out of adversity that has been in extreme situations. does not tremble.
The third is that this series is getting extremely close, and the Heat are used to closing games like fish in water, especially at the end of games, and they know what to do to get them out safely. button is to be pressed.
The fourth is that after eliminating the Bucks and Knicks, the team is healthy and very well prepared, as well as full of confidence. Even triples fall in the playoffs after not entering the regular season.
The fifth reason is the motivation not to be favored by the “experts”, who undoubtedly failed to factor the most important variable into the equation. The team is in charge of teaching him the heavy weight of the H Factor and the rudeness in his play, primarily in defense.
Sixth is that an unsung hero always emerges when it is most needed and it is not actually Bam Adebayo who along with Butler always carries the load of the game, but Caleb Martin, Max Strauss, Duncan Robinson, Kyle Lowry Or Gabe Vicente.
And seventh, and no less important, the great job that Erik Spoelstra is doing, not only strategically commanding a zone defense at the end of Game 2 that stifled the Celtics’ offense or their rotations; But with his intelligence to craft games and inspire players.
You can tell they are comfortable executing actions, pressing, shooting and above all defending, creating double marking, covering and doing whatever it takes to win, adjusting to the game situation and the opponent.
“When you play against great teams, great teams like the ones we have against Boston, you just have to do what it takes,” Spoelstra said. “It’s not about schematics or X and OS. You can invent a new defense, but you can’t do it if you’re not committed to doing the hard things. It’s about doing the hard things.” Is.”
Spoelstra, criticized by some, is the subject of discussion today for his team’s good performance in the NBA, despite the fact that he has never been voted coach of the year, and whether or not he wins the title Should be considered one of the best coaches in the league. The key factor for the NBA and the Heat is where it is.
