Jayson Tatum, Celtics excited by Eastern Conference Finals rematch with Miami Heat – Boston Herald
It was almost two whole years ago the Heat knocked Boston out of the Eastern Conference Finals inside the NBA bubble.
Despite all that’s happened since, from roster turnover and player growth, Jaylen Brown sees virtually the same team in Miami.
“Tough team, team full of dogs. Guys who aren’t going to give up, guys who aren’t going to give you anything, not an inch,” Brown said after Sunday’s 109-81 win in Game 7 against Milwaukee. “So we’ve got to go out and play with poise, and play with the same mindset to fight. Because I’d expect nothing less than a great battle.”
Heat center Bam Adebayo delivered the knockout blow in Game 6 of that 2020 series, scoring 32 points and collecting 14 rebounds in a 125-113 win. In Game 1, he famously blocked Jayson Tatum at the rim with three seconds left in overtime to essentially preserve a close Miami victory. Unlike their recent series victory over the Bucks, the Celtics dropped Game 4 against the Heat and fell into a 3-1 hole from which they never recovered.
But back then, Grant Williams was only a rookie, and Boston’s mental toughness, even as an East finalist, was often questioned. Now, battle-tested after a Game 7 win over Milwaukee in which Williams scored a team-best 27 points, the Celtics look ready. And Williams figures to factor significant into the Celtics’ defense of Adebayo and/or Jimmy Butler, who scored 32 points last Thursday to eliminate the Sixers.
“It’s one of those things you just have to take care of yourself and get ready for another physical series,” Williams said. “Because Miami is physical, too.”
As for the revenge factor, the Celtics seemed to downplay the idea the 2020 series would be on their minds with only two days between them and Game 1. Tuesday’s tip-off is set for 8:30 p.m. in Miami.
“Another extremely physical team, obviously really well-coached. … Just looking forward to it,” Tatum said. “Excited being back in this position and trying to get over this hump.”
