1. This loss for the Boston Celtics was perhaps predictable in that it happened. What wasn’t predictable was the way the loss happened.
Boston fell apart in the third quarter. The Miami Heat, led by Jimmy Butler, completely dominated the third quarter. It was almost surreal to watch play out.
After taking a 62-54 lead into the break, the Celtics were outscored by the Heat 39-14 in the third. Boston made a couple of mini-runs in the fourth quarter, but the game was never really in doubt after the third quarter ended.
Avert your eyes if you must, but here are the numbers from that fateful period:
· Celtics shooting – 2-of-15 from the floor, 0-for-7 on three-pointers, 10-of-13 free throws
· Heat shooting – 11-of-22 from the floor, 3-of-9 on three-pointers, 14-of-17 free throws
· Celtics – eight turnovers
· Heat – four turnovers
· Celtics – one offensive rebounds
· Heat – four offensive rebounds
It was a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad third quarter.