Celtics Set Series Temperature with a relatively cool, easy breezy Game 1 win over the Heat
Boston led by as many as 32 points before finishing with a 114-94 Game 1 win over Miami.
Jayson Tatum was on the court, and he was trouble. Messed around got a triple-double (22 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists). (Photo By Winslow Townson/Getty Images)
BOSTON— The Miami Heat have been a thorn in the Boston Celtics’ side for years, the kind of thing you can’t help but give more than a passing thought when you see them on the schedule.
It’s like that during the regular season. And one can only imagine that internal feeling is only amplified in the winner-moves-on world of playoff basketball.
But the Celtics have talked as though this series isn’t as much about redemption, but a reminder to all that this Celtics team is different than those of the past.
And because of that, moments of the past are nothing more than memories, the kind you tuck away and reminisce over but have no bearing on today.
That’s unfortunate for Miami because they are seeing up close and personal a Celtics team that’s as locked in as any Boston team in the past decade.
And when they make you the epicenter of their thoughts, actions, and attention, you get games like the one we saw on Sunday.
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