Jaylen Brown key to a ‘better story’ in Celtics comeback quest vs Heat
It’s the first to four, it’s one game at a time, whatever the saying is, the Boston Celtics have their backs against the wall and it’s time for their superstars to shine together.
We all know what Jayson Tatum must do, but the X-factor in at least Game 3 is Jaylen Brown finding his game. I’m not even calling them young superstars anymore, because this NBA duo has more playoff experience than most teams throughout the NBA. So, they should know better.
After falling 2-0 to the Miami Heat at home, the Celtics will have to do their thing on the road to get back into this series. Some may say this C’s squad plays better on the road and they also play better when everyone is doubting them.
If they are not doubting themselves, this series is far from over even with Jimmy Butler shining as the NBA’s new darling. This is where the All-NBA duo have to reach down within and take that next step in their rise. This is where a player like Brown proves he is worth Max dollars.
Boston Celtics need the All-NBA version of Jaylen Brown to show up
Following a disastrous night shooting the ball in Game 2, the Celtics need a better JB. They need the Brown who stepped up early in the series against the Philadelphia 76ers and changed the tone. They need to fight as a team and it does start with Brown, who score just 13 points in Game 2.
"“Just got to come out fighting, play basketball,” Brown said following the game. “I think both of these two games they have been able to come out on top, but who is to say we can’t come out on top in the next two game? We just got to come ready to play basketball, can’t lose our confidence. It’s the first to four. It should make for a better story.”"
It would make for a great story if the Celtics right the ship and come back to win this series, but they shouldn’t be in this position in the first place. Mental lapses down the stretch have been the focus of the Game 1 and Game 2 collapse, but the Boston Celtics had the Heat on the rope in both of those games and took their foot off the pedal.
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They can’t do that in Miami. Not only do they need to shake off both home losses, but they also must play with energy, play with desperation, and simply respond to the Heat physically. Brown knows this and he is one of the key players who need to step up to the challenge. So what adjustments do the team need to make Jaylen?
"“Be mature, be poised in those moments,” Brown said. “This is a veteran team. Like they are good at exposing your weaknesses, they’re good at feeding off of indecision. Continue to be aggressive and just continue to be yourself. It’s a challenge mentally, it’s a challenge physically, they’re disciplined. We just go to be – we got to overcome. We got to find a way to wine one and then we go from there.”"
They also need to make Butler work on both ends of the court. That is where Brown can help his team on the offensive end by knocking down his shots and attacking the hoop without turning the ball over.
Next. What the Boston Celtics need to do to keep their NBA title hopes alive. dark
To sum it up, the Boston Celtics don’t need both Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown to be great to beat Miami, they just need them to be factors. They need them to be the tone setters and the game changers.