Game Recap and Highlights
The Celtics took a commanding 3-1 lead in the Eastern Conference Finals with a 116-100 victory over the Heat in Game 4 on Monday night. Jayson Tatum led the way for Boston with 31 points, while Jaylen Brown added 24 and Marcus Smart chipped in with 22. Jimmy Butler led the Heat with 24 points, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Celtics’ balanced attack.
Celtics Game 4 was a nail-biter, with the Celtics barely edging out a win. The victory brought them one step closer to the NBA Finals, and Celtics fans are already looking ahead to the Boston Celtics parade in 2024.
But for now, the focus is on Game 5, and the Celtics will need to bring their A-game if they want to close out the series and advance to the next round.
The Celtics got off to a hot start, taking a 10-point lead in the first quarter. The Heat fought back in the second quarter, but the Celtics were able to extend their lead to 12 points at the half. The Celtics continued to control the game in the second half, and they eventually pulled away for the 16-point victory.
Key Plays
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The Celtics took an early lead in the game when Tatum hit a three-pointer just seconds into the game.
The Celtics are one win away from their 18th NBA championship. If they can close out the series in Game 4, they will have a parade in Boston on Thursday. The parade will start at 11 a.m. and will travel down Boylston Street to City Hall Plaza.
The Celtics have not won a championship since 2008, so a parade would be a major celebration for the city of Boston. The Celtics are hoping to finish the series off in Game 4 and bring the Larry O’Brien Trophy back to Boston.
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The Heat cut the Celtics’ lead to just three points in the second quarter, but Brown hit a three-pointer to give the Celtics a six-point lead heading into the half.
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The Celtics extended their lead to 12 points in the third quarter when Smart hit a three-pointer.
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The Heat never got closer than 10 points in the fourth quarter, and the Celtics eventually pulled away for the victory.
Celtics game 4 was a nail-biter, with the team ultimately pulling out a hard-fought victory. Fans are now eagerly anticipating the Celtics parade, which is scheduled to take place on when is celtics parade. The parade will be a celebration of the team’s success and a chance for fans to show their support.
Celtics game 4 was a testament to the team’s resilience and determination, and the parade will be a fitting tribute to their hard work.
Player Performances, Celtics game 4
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Tatum was the leading scorer for the Celtics, but he also had a team-high eight rebounds and six assists.
The Celtics’ Game 4 victory has fans eagerly anticipating the team’s parade. For those wondering when the celebration will take place, you can find out when is the Celtics parade 2024 by clicking on the link. As the Celtics continue their playoff run, the excitement surrounding the potential parade grows with each game.
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Brown was also efficient for the Celtics, shooting 9-of-16 from the field.
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Smart was a key contributor for the Celtics, providing a spark off the bench with his energy and defense.
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Butler led the Heat in scoring, but he also had a team-high seven turnovers.
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Bam Adebayo was also solid for the Heat, finishing with 18 points and 10 rebounds.
Overall Performance
The Celtics played a well-rounded game on Monday night. They shot 47.7% from the field, including 39.3% from three-point range. They also outrebounded the Heat 45-32. The Celtics’ defense was also solid, holding the Heat to just 40.8% shooting from the field.
The Heat, on the other hand, struggled to keep up with the Celtics’ pace and energy. They shot just 35.3% from the field and 26.9% from three-point range. The Heat also committed 18 turnovers, which led to 21 points for the Celtics.
The Celtics’ thrilling victory in Game 4 has reignited excitement among fans, who are eagerly anticipating the team’s parade. While the official date of the parade has yet to be announced, eager fans can find updates and more information on the upcoming celebration by visiting when is the celtics parade.
In the meantime, fans can continue to bask in the glory of Game 4’s victory, as the Celtics inch closer to their ultimate goal.
The Celtics now have a 3-1 lead in the Eastern Conference Finals. They will have a chance to close out the series on Wednesday night in Miami.
Key Players and Matchups
The Celtics’ victory in Game 4 was largely due to the strong performances of their key players, Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Marcus Smart. Tatum led the team in scoring with 29 points, while Brown added 25 points and Smart contributed 20 points and 12 assists.
Tatum was particularly effective in the first half, scoring 19 points and helping the Celtics build a 10-point lead. He was also a force on the defensive end, blocking two shots and grabbing three rebounds. Brown was also strong in the first half, scoring 15 points and helping the Celtics extend their lead to 15 points.
Smart was a key factor in the Celtics’ victory in the second half. He scored 12 points and dished out 10 assists in the third quarter, helping the Celtics extend their lead to 20 points. He also played a key role in the Celtics’ defense, guarding the opposing team’s best player and forcing several turnovers.
Matchups
The Celtics’ victory was also due to their favorable matchups against their opponents. Tatum was matched up against a smaller defender, which allowed him to use his size and strength to his advantage. Brown was matched up against a slower defender, which allowed him to use his speed and athleticism to get to the basket. Smart was matched up against a less experienced defender, which allowed him to use his experience and basketball IQ to create scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates.
The Celtics’ opponents were also able to exploit some favorable matchups. Their center was able to score over the Celtics’ smaller defenders, and their point guard was able to create scoring opportunities for his teammates by driving to the basket and kicking out to open shooters.
Strategic Analysis: Celtics Game 4
Both the Celtics and the Heat entered Game 4 with clear strategic objectives. The Celtics, who had lost the first three games of the series, needed to find a way to slow down the Heat’s offense and get more production from their own. The Heat, on the other hand, were looking to continue their dominance on the boards and limit the Celtics’ three-point shooting.
The Celtics made several adjustments to their game plan in an effort to address these issues. First, they started trapping Jimmy Butler in the post, which forced him to give up the ball and made it more difficult for the Heat to get into their offense. Second, they played more aggressively on the perimeter, which limited the Heat’s open looks from three-point range. Third, they crashed the boards hard, which helped them to outrebound the Heat by a significant margin.
The Heat, for their part, made some adjustments of their own. They started to run more pick-and-rolls for Bam Adebayo, which helped to create mismatches and get him easier shots. They also started to attack the Celtics’ defense in transition, which led to several easy baskets. However, they were unable to sustain their momentum throughout the game, and the Celtics ultimately pulled away for the win.
Key Adjustments
- The Celtics’ decision to trap Jimmy Butler in the post was a key factor in their victory. Butler is the Heat’s leading scorer and playmaker, and by limiting his touches, the Celtics were able to disrupt the Heat’s offense.
- The Heat’s decision to run more pick-and-rolls for Bam Adebayo was also a key adjustment. Adebayo is a skilled scorer and rebounder, and by getting him involved in the offense more, the Heat were able to create more scoring opportunities.
- The Celtics’ decision to crash the boards hard was another key factor in their victory. The Heat are one of the best rebounding teams in the league, but the Celtics were able to outrebound them by a significant margin. This gave the Celtics more second-chance opportunities and helped them to control the tempo of the game.