The ‘calm’ Celtics are looking at an even series against the Heat in Game 6

After losing the first three games of the Eastern Conference Finals, the Boston Celtics they didn’t look like a team ready to dominate

But after winning the last two games by an average of 15 points, the Celtics they are very much alive. They will be looking to make it a best-of-seven series with three wins each Month on Saturday when the teams play Game 6 in Miami

No NBA team has ever rallied from a 3-0 deficit, but Boston is halfway there after avoiding elimination for the third and fourth time this postseason. THE Celtics he had two such wins against the Philadelphia 76ers in the conference semifinals

“Our backs were against the wall,” Boston standout Jaylen Brown said after Thursday’s 110-97 home win. “Obviously we didn’t imagine we were in this situation, 3-0 down, but when the blow hits, you can see what a team is made of. 3-0, but we didn’t look around, we didn’t go in separate directions. We stayed together. We doubled down on what we’re good at defensively, and now I think it’s a streak.”

THE Celtics never trailed and led Thursday’s game with 24 points. Two nights earlier, they led by 18 in a 116-99 victory

The excellent play comes as Boston is poised to begin the offseason after falling 128-102 in Game 3.

“Game 3 was about as low as it gets.” Celtics said star Jayson Tatum. “The good thing about being so short is you can only play better. It’s only up from there

“It made us feel like everybody was counting on us. We’ve got to win. We’ve got to finish, and I think we’ve started to play a little more free and loose.”

Suddenly the pressure a Month

The idea of ​​playing Game 7 in winner-take-all Boston is unappealing.

For this reason, Saturday’s contest looks like a must-win for both teams.

But Miami star Jimmy Butler is downplaying his team’s recent problems.

“We just have to play better,” Butler said. “… We always stay positive knowing that we can win this series. We just have to close it out at home.”

Butler has scored 14 straight and has not reached 20 in two of the last three games.

Month Coach Erik Spoelstra bothered Joe Mazzulla in the first three games, but that was the first year Celtics his coach has pushed the right button in the last two games

“One game doesn’t lead to the next,” Spoelstra said. “It just doesn’t matter. It’s about preparing together and putting together a great game. We’re going to play a lot better on Saturday. That’s all we have to focus on now.”

Mazzulla could not give an in-depth explanation for the turn.

“It just says our backs are against the wall, we’re sticking together and competing at a high level to give ourselves a chance,” Mazzulla said.

Month Center Bam Adebayo has made it clear his club’s confidence remains high

“When we started this journey, nobody believed in us,” Adebayo said. “Everybody thought we’d be eliminated in the first round. Everybody thought we’d be eliminated in the second round. And now we’re one game away.”

Boston had four 20-pointers in Game 5. Derrick White hit six 3-pointers and led the way with 24 points, while Marcus Smart had 23 and Tatum and Brown had 21 each.

Duncan Robinson led Miami with 18 points.

Month Gabe Vincent (ankle) missed Game 5 and his status for Saturday has not been confirmed

— Field Level Media