Mateo’s Hoops Diary: The Heat Left Seeing Red

Boston left Miami red with envy.  Losing Game 7 at base must feel like the ache from taking a kick to the nether regions that will last until October.  Especially after competing so vigorously after going down 17 points in the first quarter and having a chance to take the lead with 17 seconds left.  

The Heat’s carelessness with the ball and poor shot selection dug their early grave.  Boston got out on the fastbreak and scored 13 of their first 24 points before Miami could get set on defense.  The Celtics gagged the home team, causing them to misfire on 14 shots .  The only break in the clouds for the Heat in the opening quarter offensively was Jimmy Butler’s ruthless cuts and pressure on the interior.

The last 36 minutes for Miami was a backbreaking effort by Bam Adebayo and Butler to keep the group alive that ultimately came seconds away from a trip to the Finals. They made 20 of the Heat’s first 24 field goals. Aside from them, the rest of the starters and ancillary pieces converted 12/43 shots.  It felt like Adebayo and Butler were the only columns holding up a collapsing house. 

The seven Celtics players defended by Bam recorded 2/14 field goals in Game 7.  It’s a shame he couldn’t be everywhere at once for Miami.  He also finished with 25 points and 11 rebounds.

Yet, the Heat got beat at what it does best- being the nastier team. Miami was up 25-24 in gathered rebounds at the intermission.  In the second half Boston cranked up their pursuit of misses, finishing 27-19 in that category for the period. The Green also logged six more loose balls recovered.

It’s worth remembering because the game was decided by four points.  The Celtics were the more assertive team and it’s a significant reason why they collected the conference crown and new east champs shirts and snapbacks.

The end was sweet for Boston, all smiles and hugs at the podium.  And bitter for Miami, frustration and shame on the way out.

At postgame press, Butler fell on the sword for his team.  He said he wasn’t good enough for the series, yet his final act in Game 7 was magnificent. It’s the type of stuff you rave to your children about.  Competing for 48 minutes doesn’t just take away your legs, one is also emptied mentally.  Like Udonis Haslem said, “He went for the kill…” but he stole the hearts of supporters.

Most of the public usually remembers the winners when they take a stroll down memory lane but often there is brilliance on the losing side that’s typically disregarded.  The ones who care could never forget.

Adebayo played 46 minutes and Butler registered 48.  The ship sank but they went down swinging.  Bam and Jimmy were the two radiant Heatles whose fire was last to burn out.

The dejected looks and talk about not knowing who would be on the team next season wasn’t even the saddest part of the night.  That was when an usher approached me and said they would be collecting three fewer days of pay because the Heat wouldn’t move on. 

On Tuesday, coach Spo was still decompressing from the loss but he said, “It’s a bottom line business and we didn’t accomplish the goal we set out for ourselves…”

The truth can sting when it rolls off someone’s lips, but he wasn’t wrong.  The Heat are held to the standard the group set for themselves when they made the Finals two seasons ago.  Anything less is for the birds. 

Pain can be the most effective teacher.  We’ll see how Miami relacibates and reloads after licking their wounds.