Jaylen Brown on Celtics Playoff Run: ‘we’re seeking to get again to the place we had been final yr’

With solely 4 groups remaining, the Boston Celtics discover themselves as soon as once more dealing with off towards the Miami Warmth within the Japanese Convention Finals. The sequence marks the second straight assembly of the 2 rivals, and their third assembly in 4 seasons. As the upper seed, Boston will host Miami to begin the sequence off on Wednesday evening for Recreation 1 at TD Backyard.

“We’ve acquired some expertise,” mentioned Jaylen Brown on dealing with up towards the Warmth once more. “That Miami group is seeking to atone from final yr. They’re gonna come out enjoying hungry, come out combating. You’ve gotta be the more durable enjoying group.” Boston’s expertise towards Miami will serve them properly in that regard, as they understand how ferocious and tenacious the Warmth can play on both aspect of the ball.

The messaging and emphasis from Brown on enjoying onerous and with effort is an encouraging signal. Main into this sequence, the playoffs have been a check for the Celtics primarily as a result of their lack of ability to maintain leads and fall into scoring ruts; it was clear as day in each the Hawks and 76ers sequence. In a matchup with Miami, the margin of error will get even slimmer, as anticipated with an Erik Spoelstra-coaching group. What they could lack in pure expertise, they make up with when it comes to execution and energy; when you don’t match that depth, Miami is certain to depart you within the mud.

“That they had an amazing story,” mentioned Brown on the Miami Warmth this season. “Going all the best way from the play-in and simply streamroll by the playoffs. We simply acquired to come back out and set the tone in it with our power and attempt to cool them off somewhat bit.” After being crushed in Recreation 7 of the convention finals final yr, it’s comprehensible for the Warmth to have an ax to grind. However after Boston got here up quick within the Finals towards the Warriors, they’re simply as motivated and determined to show themselves.

“The whole lot,” mentioned Brown when requested how a lot final yr’s Finals loss performed into the group’s preparation. “We bear in mind final yr vividly. We misplaced within the Finals, and that set the temper for our complete yr this yr, and we’re seeking to get again to the place we had been final yr.” With all the hurdles this yr has thrown at them between teaching drama, accidents and altering methods, Boston has fared much better than anybody may have anticipated, particularly given the circumstances. Now, they sit 4 wins away from returning to the massive stage as soon as extra, with a well-known (but modified) foe standing of their method.

“I imply, they’ve acquired a special group in a way,” mentioned Brown on the Miami Warmth. “They’ve acquired some accidents, some guys are enjoying higher than they had been final yr. It’s not the identical group as final yr. Jimmy remains to be Jimmy, and Spo remains to be Spo, however we’ve acquired to make it possible for we’re conscious of everyone else. Kevin Love, a few of the new guys they acquired, a few of the different guys they’ve been enjoying lots higher. Strus, Duncan Robinson’s enjoying on this sequence, so we simply acquired to be alert.”

With out Tyler Herro most probably till late within the sequence if in any respect and Victor Oladipo out the rest of the season, Miami has needed to flip to guys like Duncan Robinson and Max Strus extra so as to get by. Each gamers are sharpshooters, and in Robinson’s case, the chance earlier than him is to regain some belief and minutes on the group after taking a again seat in favor of others.

Again in 2020, Robinson’s lights out capturing was an enormous half in Miami making the Finals, however after getting a giant contract extension, Robinson’s effectiveness total play diminished. Herro and Oladipo’s absences have given him a window of alternative. Familiarity with many of the roster apart, the Celtics are dealing with a brand new opponent within the Warmth, who play very totally different to what they noticed towards the 76ers.

“We’ve acquired to reset,” mentioned Brown, “We’ve acquired to relaxation to play, it’s a special group. We’re simply going to come back with a special technique, totally different mindset to type of recover from the hump. So, we’ve simply acquired to be prepared. They’ve been coming in scorching, they’ve been enjoying rather well, beat the primary group, beat a hungry New York Knicks group. and we’ve acquired to discover a approach to cool the Warmth off.”

When requested if he had a message for followers once more after calling them out forward of Recreation 7, Brown mentioned, “simply include it. Carry that very same power. Carry the juice. The power’s about to shift.”

The Celtics and Warmth will tip off Recreation 1 of the 2023 Japanese Convention Finals tonight at 8:30 pm EST.