Felger and Mazz: What did the Celtics win over Miami show you?
The Boston Celtics eliminated the Miami Heat last night to advance in the NBA Playoffs. On Thursday’s Felger and Mazz, the guys have their thoughts on the Celtics eliminating the team that ended their season last year.
Did the Celtics prove anything in the victory?
Felger: What did the win over Miami show you?
Jim Murray: Look, they did what they were supposed to. I do feel like they did wake up a bit after the game two loss at home. They killed the “boogeyman Heat” who have owned their ass in the postseason the last couple of years. Bit of an asterisk because it’s without Jimmy Butler. But, you know, they did what they were supposed to. And good for them. You know I’m not going to take my pants off for it, especially without Jimmy Butler.
Felger: You take your pants off McTakey?
Matt McCarthy: A little bit. And here’s why, I have to be consistent about this. I for months said I wanted Miami in the first round because the Celtics needed to put that thing aside. I didn’t know that Jimmy Butler was not going to play, that is a terrible and talentless team without Jimmy Butler. I look up last night, they’re like 3-22 from three, so I understand that. But for the most part, in this series the Celtics were professional enough and did what they were supposed to do, and I look back to the Brooklyn series a few years ago, it felt like they kind of needed to get past that team, get past that Nets thing, and even though Butler’s not out there, they had to get past the Heat. They did what they were supposed to. So I will give them credit for that given that I applied a lot of importance to this series for months, so I have to be consistent about it and give them credit for doing what they’re supposed to do in a gentleman sweep.
Felger: I’ll give them their due to. Sure, absolutely. I think it’s another sign, and I’m not being sarcastic, it’s another sign that they’re more championship ready. It is. In past years, some of the years that they weren’t quite ready, they would have messed around with it. Maybe the game two loss would have led to something worse or another loss. Nope. They lost that game but they responded like perfectly. Pretty much. I know you all had a problem with game four down there, but game three they responded appropriately and smothered them. Took care of business in game four. So you want to tell me that this is another sign of progress for them? I’ll give it to you.
