(Miami) The Celtics have come halfway through a game that would be unprecedented among 151 clubs that fell 3-0 in a best-of-seven series in the NBA.
Only 14 teams, including the current edition of the Celtics, even extended the suspense to a sixth game. No club has yet prevailed in a 3-0 deficit.
The Celtics seem to have the wind in their sails as Game 6 approaches Saturday night in Miami.
“Adversity shows what you’re made of as a team,” said Jaylen Brown, who scored 21 points in Game 5. We stayed united. We went into overdrive, especially in defence. »
It’s only happened three times that a series down 3-0 needed a final game.
In this case, such a meeting would take place on Monday evening, at the TD Garden.
“One of our assistants made a great observation: a season is kind of like nine months, and in that there’s one (only) week where it wasn’t going well,” the Celtics coach said. , Joe Mazzulla. It wasn’t the best time, but we stick together. We are fighting like crazy to emerge the winners. »
If Boston achieves a first, the Denver Nuggets will be visitors on 1er June, when the NBA Finals kicks off. If Miami holds its own and makes it happen, Game 1 will come to Colorado on 1er June too.
“We have things to refine and perfect,” Nuggets coach Michael Malone said after his team’s first practice since the sweep inflicted on the Lakers in the Western final. That said, it’s very hard to keep a rhythm when you’re not playing real games. »
PHOTO KIRBY LEE, USA TODAY SPORTS VIA REUTERS CON
Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone
The Heat looked like they wanted to get out of the way too, leading by nine points in the third quarter of Game 4. The lead was gone in two and a half minutes and since that time the Celtics have never relinquished control.
In Game 5, Boston was unfazed after taking a 20-5 lead.
“The last two games don’t reflect who we are,” Heat star Jimmy Butler said. We know what to fix. Above all, you need to have a better start to the game. »
The Heat’s starters were outscored 95-44 by their Celtics counterparts on Thursday.
Since the comeback of the previous game, Boston has outshot 75-33 in points on three-pointers.
“You never expect it to be easy when it’s about making the Finals,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. The matches follow each other, but are not alike. What matters is the collective preparation. We will do much better on Saturday. »