The Heat demolished the Celtics in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals, sending Boston into a historically insurmountable hole in the NBA Playoffs.
By now, you’ve probably seen the stat: In NBA history, 150 teams have trailed 3-0 in a playoff series but zero have come back to win the series.
With their backs against the wall, the Celtics tried to channel their inner 2004 Boston Red Sox — the first team in MLB history to overcome a 3-0 playoff series deficit.
“Don’t let us win tonight,” Marcus Smart said ahead of Game 4Â in an ode to Red Sox first baseman Kevin Millar’s now-historic pregame statement.
Boston backed up its talk, handling the Heat by 17 points in Game 4 and 13 points in Game 5 to force a Game 6 in Miami.
MORE: Celtics dominate Heat at home to force a Game 6
“They let us get two, so don’t let us get another one,” Jaylen Brown stated confidently following a decisive win in Game 5.
The Celtics have flipped the momentum in this series, and the pressure shifts to the Heat as they try and close out on their home floor. Has Boston found something in its two wins? Let’s take a closer look at some of its keys to victory.
Three reasons Celtics are built to overcome 3-0 deficit vs. Heat Celtics turning up the intensity on defense
The Celtics’ success starts on the defensive end. In the 2023 NBA Playoffs, Boston is 2-8 when it allows
