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It was only a 12 months in the past that the Boston Celtics have been competing for a championship towards the Golden State Warriors within the 2022 NBA Finals. Whereas that workforce fell quick, it was clear that the Celtics have been motivated to avenge that loss and hoist the Larry O’Brien Trophy this 12 months.
Nevertheless, that dedication seems to have fully disappeared from Boston, because the workforce put forth a dull efficiency in Sunday’s Sport 3 of the Japanese Convention Finals towards the Miami Warmth on their strategy to a 128-102 loss at Kaseya Heart. The Celtics now face the opportunity of getting swept out of the playoffs after falling right into a 3-0 gap.
Boston regarded like a shell of the workforce that earned the No. 2 seed within the East throughout the common season. The Celtics had no vitality, combat or ardour as they succumbed to an offensive barrage by the Warmth that just about sealed the sport by halftime. Boston trailed by as many as 33 factors and allowed Miami to shoot 56.8 p.c from the sphere and 54.3 p.c from three-point vary.
The Celtics star duo of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown had nothing occurring Sunday, combining for simply 26 factors on 12-of-35 taking pictures. They shot a mixed 9-of-24 within the first half. In the meantime, six gamers scored in double figures for the Warmth, led by 29 factors from Gabe Vincent.
NBA Twitter didn’t maintain again its disdain for Boston’s efficiency in such an important recreation:jayson tat
Joon Lee @joonlee
It is astounding the Celtics went from a tenacious defensive workforce final 12 months to constantly disengaged
Completely embarrassing exhibiting tonight
Invoice Simmons @BillSimmons
The autumn of the Celtics protection in 2023 is simply dumbfounding. Kudos to Miami for figuring out precisely find out how to assault a disconnected, poorly coached half-asleep workforce. That is embarrassing. Oh and the timeout got here 4 performs too late. Must be a enjoyable pod tonight!
Stephen A Smith @stephenasmith
You already know what: I do not even acknowledge these @celtics. They’re getting their ass kicked. Seem like they’re barely making an attempt. @MiamiHEAT stepping into lanes uncontested and at will.#Embarrassing!
Ashley Nicole Moss @AshNicoleMoss
a workforce that was extremely profitable throughout the common season, a high seed of their convention, simply fully imploding like that is nasty
Kevin O’Connor @KevinOConnorNBA
What a humiliation. The Celtics are a mentally weak workforce with a clueless head coach. Huge modifications ought to come this summer season.
Skip Bayless @RealSkipBayless
The Boston Celtics are down 30 after 3 quarters on their strategy to going 0-3 right down to an 8 seed. Simply shameful.
Colin Cowherd @ColinCowherd
I largely roll my eyes 👀 at followers who perpetually blame teaching for his or her disappointing groups — however Celtics protection would not even resemble final season. It is the coach.
𝙍𝙞𝙡𝙚𝙮 ☘️ @CelticsRiley
Celtics should lose. So undisciplined. So unserious. I am bored with seeing function gamers drive to the basket triple teamed whereas Tatum and Brown simply wait WIDE OPEN.
Performed with Mazzulla.
Rob Perez @WorldWideWob
Celtics followers on right here hurting and demanding a brand new head coach. Watch out what you would like for, as a result of I can consider somebody who is ready to prescribe the drugs you want.
gary washburn @GwashburnGlobe
That is actually dangerous, maybe the worst playoff efficiency prior to now 20 years for the #Celtics. They’ve given up. #Heat
Jared Weiss @JaredWeissNBA
The Celtics have misplaced just about all of their consideration to element. Rob Williams nonetheless bites on pump fakes like he is a rookie. They cannot chase Duncan Robinson over screens like they’re within the bubble. They’re simply taking part in like trash tonight with the season on the road.
Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
The sport is a microcosm of what is occurred to the season. Simply falling aside.
CelticsNation (57-25) (8/16) @CookedByCeltics
This workforce did not should win something, no ardour, no effort, they at all times performed like they have been the perfect and nobody may cease them and so they choked, be higher subsequent 12 months
FanDuel @FanDuel
Lakers followers watching the Celtics down by 20 proper now pic.twitter.com/e3eMiNKcki
James Boyd @RomeovilleKid
Get the Celtics off my display!! Lol this isn’t a championship workforce, at ALL.
The Celtics saved their core intact from final 12 months’s group, however it seems that they’re beginning to run out of fuel. No workforce in NBA playoff historical past has been capable of overcome a 3-0 deficit, and Boston would not seem like it has sufficient combat to be the primary.
The Celtics could have the prospect to show their critics improper and save their season in Sport 4 towards the Warmth on Tuesday night time.
