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Celtics win Game 5 at home, extend series with Heat

Via Boston.com:

The Celtics have been staring at improbable odds for close to a week now.

But their messaging hasn’t wavered since falling into an 0-3 hole against the Miami Heat.

“Don’t let us win one,” was the mantra echoed by both Marcus Smart and Jaylen Brown on Tuesday — just hours before Boston kept its season alive with a Game 4 victory down at Kaseya Center.

And minutes after the Celtics became just the 13th team to force a Game 6 after three straight losses, Brown stuck to a familiar and focused script.

“They let us get two, so don’t let us get another one,” Brown said on TNT’s broadcast following Boston’s Game 5 win in the Eastern Conference Finals on Thursday.

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Jimmy Butler shares preparation plan for Heat at Celtics Game 5

Via Boston.com:

Now, as the series heads back to Boston for Game 5, Heat guard Jimmy Butler says Miami has to play like its backs are against the wall.

A Celtics win on Thursday night would give Boston a two-game winning streak heading into Game 6. If a Game 7 is needed, it will be in Boston.

So, how does Butler plan to stay loose ahead of Thursday’s game?

“Just stay consistent,” Butler said. “Do the same things that I do, that we do after every game. We’re going to listen to some music, you know. Going to drink some beers back there. Going to have some wine. I don’t think you can just focus on basketball at times. You have to be able to get away from the game a little bit.”

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History still on side of Heat, up 3-1 on Celtics

Via the South Florida Sun Sentinel:

The Miami Heat still have the math on their side, even after Tuesday night’s 116-99 loss to the Boston Celtics at Kaseya Center that trimmed their lead in the Eastern Conference finals to 3-1.

Of the previous 150 teams that have started a best-of-seven NBA playoff series up 3-0:

— 44 have managed to force a Game 5, as the Celtics have with Thursday night’s 8:30 p.m. matchup at TD Garden.

— 11 have made it to a Game 6, which in this case would be, if needed, 8:30 p.m. Saturday at Kaseya Center.

— 3 have made it to a Game 7

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On the Celtics offense in Game 1 loss to Heat

Via Boston.com:

Before they got blitzed by a 46-25 Miami run in the third quarter, the Celtics looked like they were in sync offensively.

Marcus Smart dished out 10 assists in the first half, during which the Celtics scored 40 points in the paint. They were enough of a threat from outside to keep Miami on its toes.
But that all came to a rather abrupt stop in the second half. The Celtics began the third quarter leading by nine and were down 12 at the end of it.

Obviously getting outscored by 21 points in a quarter has much to do with a loss of defensive intensity. But the fact is they weren’t able to keep up the pace offensively, either.

2023 NBA Conference Finals series schedules

Eastern Conference

Boston Celtics (2) vs. Miami Heat (8)

* if necessary

Western Conference

Denver Nuggets (1) vs. L.A. Lakers (7)

* if necessary

Celtics guard Malcolm Brogdon wins 2022-23 NBA Sixth Man of the Year award

Boston Celtics guard Malcolm Brogdon has been named the 2022-23 NBA Sixth Man of the Year, the NBA announced today.

Brogdon becomes the third Celtic to win the league’s annual honor, joining Kevin McHale (1984, 1985) and Bill Walton (1986).

“From day one, Malcolm has eagerly embraced his role as a game changer off the bench,” said Brad Stevens, Boston Celtics President of Basketball Operations. “His emphasis on winning has been reflected daily in his work, his play, and his selflessness. Malcolm winning the award named after John Havlicek, an all-time Celtic, could not be more appropriate.”

In the 41 years since the award’s creation in 1982, only eight other players have won the NBA Sixth Man of the Year award in their first season with their team.

Brogdon was the only player in the NBA ranking in the top three in scoring, rebounding, and assists among players who didn’t start in a regular-season game as he finished with 14.9 points (1st), 4.2 rebounds (3rd), and 3.7 assists (2nd).

Brogdon finished the year ranked fourth in the NBA in three-point percentage with a career single-season high 44.4 percent from beyond the arc. He tied Ray Allen (2010-11) for the third-best single-season three-point percentage by a Celtic since 1979 behind Allen’s 2011-12 season (45.3%) and Al Horford this season (44.6%).

As an NBA reserve, Brogdon ranked first in minutes played (1743.8), second in made field goals (354), third in total points (1,000) and clutch points (42), and fourth in assists (248). Brogdon became the fourth player in Celtics history to score at least 1,000 points in a season off the bench, behind Ricky Davis in 2004-05 (1,121 points) and Kevin McHale twice, in 1989-90 (1,109) and 1990-91 (1,031).

The Georgia native earns his third NBA honor including winning the 2016-17 NBA Rookie of the Year award and the 2019-20 J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award.

The Sixth Man of the Year trophy honors Celtics Hall of Famer John Havlicek, who excelled off the bench like no player before him. Havlicek came off the bench for the first seven seasons of his career and was an All-Star in four of those seasons. His career highlights include eight NBA championships, 13 NBA All-Star selections, 11 All-NBA Team selections, an NBA Finals MVP, eight NBA All-Defensive Team selections, and inclusion on the league’s 35th, 50th, and 75th Anniversary Teams.

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Celtics sign Justin Champagnie

The Boston Celtics have signed forward Justin Champagnie from the Sioux Falls Skyforce, the G League affiliate of the Miami Heat.

Champagnie, a 6’6” forward, appeared in 39 games over two seasons with the Toronto Raptors from 2021-23, where he averaged 2.2 points and 1.9 rebounds in 7.5 minutes per game, while shooting 48.6 percent from the field.

The Brooklyn native averaged 18.2 points and 8.0 rebounds in 31.3 minutes through 23 games (15 starts) with the Skyforce this season.

The University of Pittsburgh product averaged 14.7 points, 8.5 rebounds, 1.0 assists, and 1.1 steals in 53 games (46 starts) before declaring for the 2021 NBA Draft after his sophomore season. Champagnie was named to the 2020-21 All-ACC First Team after averaging 18.4 points, 11.1 rebounds and leading the conference with 13 double-doubles.

Champagnie was the first Pitt player to earn First Team All-ACC accolades, and became the first Panther to claim first team all-league honors since Ashton Gibbs (2011).

Jaylen Brown named NBA Eastern Conference Player of the Week

Boston Celtics forward Jaylen Brown has been named the NBA Eastern Conference Player of the Week, the NBA announced today. Brown earns his third career nod and this award marks the 67th overall honor for a Celtics player in franchise history. Brown joins Derrick White (2/12) and Jayson Tatum (10/23) as the third player to receive the recognition this season. The last team to have three players earn a weekly honor in a single season was Toronto (2019-20).

Brown led the Celtics to a 3-0 week with wins over San Antonio (137-93), Indiana (120-95), and Sacramento (132-109), while averaging 31.7 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 3.7 assists in 34.6 minutes per game. Brown was the only player in the Eastern Conference to average at least 30 points while shooting better than 55.0 percent from the field and 39.0 percent from three-point range.

Jaylen Brown discusses his Celtics future

If you’re looking for a guarantee that Jaylen Brown and the Celtics will stick together for many years to come, prepare to be disappointed. Via Boston.com:

Jaylen Brown sent some Celtics fans into a panic with candid comments about his future in Boston earlier this week.

The 26-year-old wing, who will become a free agent in 2024, was noncommittal when asked during an interview with The Ringer about his plans once his contract expires.

“I don’t know. As long as I’m needed. It’s not up to me,” Brown said. “We’ll see how they feel about me over time and I feel about them over time. Hopefully, whatever it is, it makes sense. But I will stay where I’m wanted. I will stay where I’m needed and treated correct.”

This is no big deal. It’s too soon to worry. But keep this in the back of your mind once summer of 2023 free agency begins. And move it towards the front of your mind as the 2023-24 season progresses.

For additional quotes that paint a fuller picture, click that link above.

Robert Williams set to return to action for Celtics

Via the Boston Herald:

Robert Williams was removed from the Celtics’ injury report on Monday, meaning he’s set to return to the lineup for Tuesday night’s game at the Kings after an eight-game absence due to a left hamstring strain. With 10 games left in the regular season before the playoffs, the final stretch will be critical for Williams as he regains his form and helps get the Celtics’ defense right in preparation for their championship pursuit.