How the Miami Heat's Defense Slowed Down Boston's Star Players

Jayson Tatum had a pretty bad Game 3 vs the Miami Heat, and a big part of that was the Heat's defensive gameplan. The Heat allowed select shooters on the Celtics to be free on the perimeter in order to clog the lane for Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum.
Here's my analysis of what worked for the Heat in Game 3.

[@willlocklin7406]

Currently watching this as the Celtics are blowing the breaks off the heat, this series is nuts

[@DrawingTheDefense]

I know man! So many crazy leads after 1st quarters. And it makes it hard to suss out adjustments when there has been players missing each game. I felt like in this one Miami just came out flat offensively without Herro. I love both these teams

[@stevenwhiters8928]

Biggest thing I say is lack of player movement and patience. Pass fakes and agressive cutting can counter. Watching this just shows me alot of teams are lazy or just don’t play as a unit on defense

[@alainlamour5868]

Aggressive cutting is what the Celtics are still doing. They’re getting cut off and stolen. Pass fakes are super helpful but the Heat don’t mind pressing the ball and daring players to beat them off the dribble when Jimmy bam and Victor are their primary perimeter defenders. PJ Tucker and Kyle Lowry were the others. The only mismatch you’d get is if Herro or Duncan is in the game bc tbh Strus has vastly improved as a perimeter defender and isn’t truly a liability anymore. Switching Bam on to the perimeter is not hurting the Heat ever with anyone on like earth.

[@SSJRome]

Celtics playing iso ball is playing right into Miami’s hands

[@ethanhansen1479]

If bam can stay healthy he can easily be top 3 in dpoy

[@theDanDeleon]

Good breakdown. Haven’t been watching much of the ECF so this is helping me catch up to speed.

[@DrawingTheDefense]

Thanks Dan! I love both teams so it’s hard to pick who to root for. It’s been a fun series and I have no clue who will advance

[@theDanDeleon]

@@DrawingTheDefense I hope we see a GSW v Heat Finals. I like both offensive schemes (screening, passing and cutting motions). And both teams got shooters to spread the floor.
It might just come down to health. As they say…”Your best ability is your availability.”