The Boston Celtics drew plenty of criticism and backlash after the first three games of the series.
Fans and even some players felt like they were just tapping out and giving up, being blown out on the road and digging themselves into a 0-3 hole.
It wasn’t just that Erik Spoelstra had outcoached Joe Mazzulla or that Jimmy Butler was getting whatever he wanted on both ends of the floor.
The Heat outhustled them night in and night out on every 50/50 ball and offensive board.
Marcus Smart on why it took until Game 4 for the Celtics to turn things around pic.twitter.com/mjVeSnzCnY
— Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) May 26, 2023
That’s why Celtics guard Marcus Smart believes the key behind this surge was to shift their mindset and energy, as the Celtics found themselves with their backs against the wall and knew they needed to respond immediately or their season would be over.
That has been a regular issue with this Celtics core throughout the years.
They seem to play down to their rivals’ level, and struggle to string good games together.
The Celtics have a championship-caliber core with two All-NBA guys, a former Defensive Player of the Year, and at least two starting-caliber players at every single position.
There’s no excuse or way to look around it; they should be the ones up 3-2, and there was no reason why they should’ve been down 0-3 in the first place.
No team has ever come back from such a deficit, but the Celtics have all momentum and energy on their side now.
Still, they better beware of getting overconfident, as the Heat will never back down from any fight.
NEXT: Joe Mazzulla Reacts To Celtics Game 5 Win Over Heat