Felger & Mazz

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The Boston Celtics have won two games in a row over the Miami Heat to force a game 6 in their Eastern Conference Finals matchup. On Friday’s Felger and Mazz, Felger gave his keys to the game for the Heat in game 6.

  • Audio

  • #1 Stop trying to run the offense through Bam Adebayo

    Miami Heat v Boston Celtics - Game Five

    BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – MAY 25: Bam Adebayo #13 of the Miami Heat controls the ball ahead of Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics during the first quarter in game five of the Eastern Conference Finals at TD Garden on May 25, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

  • Felger: I’m going to give the Heat some adjustments if they care about it. And this is the first thing that has stood out to me these last couple of games, the very first possession last night, the Heat try too much, in my opinion, to run the offense through Bam Adebayo. And Adebayo in the paint. And it’s not always in the paint, but often in and around the lane, and the Celtics at some point in this series made an adjustment on it. I don’t know exactly what they did or maybe they just paid more attention to it, but the Celtics have done something and maybe it’s just more attention, but they’ve taken it away. And in the last couple of games, if I have to watch Adebayo dribble the ball off his knee or get it swatted away in the high lane, I’m going to blow my brains out. It’s like I thought the Heat were well I was like, can’t you see this?

    Jim Murray: It was definitely noticeable in game four. It’s funny you say. Who knows what it is? Maybe they said “more active hands”, you know, and maybe that’s made that’s disrupted him. But it’s obvious he’s been a mess.

    Felger: I think he’s been hot garbage, Adebayo, the last two games and either that’s him, the Celtics devoting more attention to him, making some sort of defensive adjustment that I just don’t pick up on, but whatever it is, it’s different and the Heat keep trying to go to it. I’m not James Naismith over here, but spread out the offense. Stop going through Adebayo. The Celtics are on the thing with Adebayo, they’re on it. The Celtics are on it. And there has to be a different approach.

  • #2 Jimmy Butler needs to stop with the ball fake

    Miami Heat v Boston Celtics - Game Five

    BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – MAY 25: Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat controls the ball ahead of Marcus Smart #36 of the Boston Celtics during the third quarter in game five of the Eastern Conference Finals at TD Garden on May 25, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

  • Felger: So my second item is Jimmy Butler. He has to start going straight up with the ball. The Celtics are not buying the ball fake. He’s all about getting you off balance a little bit and then shooting into your body when you’re not totally set and getting the and ones and getting fouls. That’s his game. And you’ll notice i, every time he gets the ball it’s an upfake. The Celtics aren’t going for it. Smart, good for them. Another adjustment or something that they’ve just you know started to….

    Jim Murray: You know they’re more disciplined about it.

    Felger: Develop over the course of the series. Jimmy Butler will get the ball, watch it every time it’s an upfake he doesn’t shoot it. He’s just trying to get you off balance and to draw a foul and the Celtics aren’t taking the cheese. If I’m Pat Riley or Erik Spoelstra I’m telling Jimmy, “the first shots there Jimmy, they’re not going up they you’re pump faking it. Shoot it.”

  • #3 The Heat need to shoot up Gabe Vincent’s ankle with whatever to get him back

    Boston Celtics v Miami Heat - Game Four

    MIAMI, FLORIDA – MAY 23: Gabe Vincent #2 of the Miami Heat injures his ankle during play and is helped by teammates against the Boston Celtics during the fourth quarter in game four of the Eastern Conference Finals at Kaseya Center on May 23, 2023 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)

  • Felger: Number three….the Heat need to shoot up Gabe Vincent’s ankle to the moon. Whatever it takes. Whatever Gabe Vincent has going on, it’s nothing that drugs can’t account for. So shoot that thing up to the moon because Kyle Lowry killed them last night.

    Joe Murray: Oh, he was so bad. But there’s some numbers on Vincent I looked up….the Heat are 18-5 as a playoff starter when he’s in the lineup. They’re a +34 when he’s on the court, a -12 when he’s not. They’re a -26 with Kyle Lowry on the court and a +43 without him.

    Jim Murray: Like he was a factor in the first half of Game 1, and not that I was like, “wow, I didn’t see this coming, this could be problematic”, and since that point, he has been just a mess. He just looks old and washed in a game like last night and he’s a liability for them. So I’m with you, get the horse tranquilizer and shoot up Gabe Vincent because they need him.

    Felger: Yeah, Kyle Lowry first half first game. After that useless. So Gabe Vincent amazingly is a swing guy. He’s a big factor. He’s got to get his ass back out there.

  • Listen to Felger and Mazz from 2-6 every Monday-Friday on 98.5 The Sports Hub, with hosts Mike Felger, Tony “Mazz” Massarotti, and Jim Murray “Big Jim”. You can listen live in the Sports Hub App and subscribe to their podcasts here. Follow @FelgerAndMazz on Twitter to keep up with the show!

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