The Boston Celtics knew that their opening round matchup against the Orlando Magic would not be a cake walk but not even that could have prepared them for the level of physicality shown throughout their 95-93 loss in Game 3, as this matchup truly was a knock-down, drag-out fight until the bitter end.
While the increased physicality of a playoff series is nothing new to the defending champions, multiple members of Boston's roster made note of what the officials working the matchup deemed to be worthy of a foul being called.
Most notably, Celtics star Jaylen Brown was critical of the type of play that the referees allowed during Game 3 and warned of the potential for things to escalate to the point of a fight breaking out if the officials continue to allow this level of contact.
"There might be a fight break out or something because it's starting to feel like it's not even basketball, and the refs are not controlling their environment," said Brown, via Baxter Holmes of ESPN.com. "So it is what it is. If you want to fight it out, we can do that. We can fight to see who goes to the second round."
In addition to Brown's thoughts on the matter, Kristaps Porzingis offered up his opinion on the way the game was called and, while he offered a slightly more diplomatic approach, it was clear the veteran big man was also less than pleased with the way Game 3 played out.
"I mean, they're just borderline fouling," Porzingis said of the Magic, per ESPN. "That's what it is. Borderline fouling and fouling, and some of it, [the referees] call it, of course, and some of it they don't, and that's how it's going to be. We have to accept the reality -- and also, we can use that. It's not that there's only one way; it's both ways."
The fact of the matter is that Game 3 is now in the rearview mirror, and there is nothing the Celtics can do to change the outcome of that matchup. What they can do, however, is use the media to help influence the way Game 4 is officiated on Sunday. Veterans like Brown and Porzingis are well aware of this and appear to be looking to employ that strategy.
We'll find out soon enough whether or not the whistles come a little quicker when Boston and Orlando take the floor again for Game 4 on Sunday evening.