For a brief moment a few days ago, fans of the Boston Celtics thought that perhaps the rest of the series was lost.
When the Miami Heat were able to secure a victory in Boston in Game 3, they took a 2-1 lead in the series on the road and put the Celtics in a tough spot.
It felt like the Heat had a command on the series.
But that wasn’t the case, as the Celtics came storming back on Monday night, securing a huge Game 4 victory to even the series, 2-2.
Coach Udoka says our players just discussed in the locker room postgame that we can't wait until our backs are against the wall to play the way we did tonight. It's now a 3-game series, so he said we have to bring it every night.
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) May 24, 2022
Following the game, head coach Ime Udoka told his team that it was time to play like never before.
He stressed to his squad that “we can’t wait until our backs are against the wall to play the way we did tonight.”
He stressed the fact that the Eastern Conference Finals is now a three-game series so the Celtics “have to bring it every night.”
He’s not wrong – it’s time to put up or shut out.
The Celtics are now just two games away from moving onto the Finals – but that also means they need to play as if they are only two games away from going home.
Feeling The Heat
The Heat have been playing some impressive basketball in these Eastern Conference Finals.
However, the Celtics have been no slouches.
Additionally, both of Boston’s wins in the series have been blowouts, giving them victories of at least 20 points.
Still, things are going to be tough in Game 5 as the series returns to Miami and the Heat seek a 3-2 lead.
Udoka is smart to make his team feel like things are dire and that every matchup needs the energy of an elimination game.
They are so close to the NBA Finals – they can’t ease up now.
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