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Miami Heat: Bam Adebayo, Erik Spoelstra React to Brutal Game 1 Loss Vs. Boston Celtics

Originally posted on Hardwood Heroics | By Paolo Songco | Last updated 4/21/24

The Miami Heat’s formidable comeback bid in Game 1 of their first-round NBA Playoffs series against the Boston Celtics came up short. Bam Adebayo and Co. nearly stole away home-court advantage from Boston in the series opener, only to see the Celtics rise up and hold them back en route to a 114-94 victory at the TD Garden.

Boston was expected to draw first blood in this series, but the manner by which they suffered defeat has to sting for the undermanned Heat.

Miami Heat News: Bam Adebayo Rues Missed Opportunity in Game 1

Adebayo did all he could for this team in Game 1 with Jimmy Butler out injured. The Heat big man finished with a game-high 24 points on 10-of-18 shooting, to go along with six rebounds, and three assists in 36 minutes of action.

After the game, Adebayo admitted that this could have very easily been a victory for Miami if only they prevented a first-quarter onslaught from Boston:

“I feel like the start the game was really the icing for them,” Adebayo said, via Zachary Weinberg of ClutchPoints. “They got off to a large lead and held on to that throughout the game, but we don’t get off to a start like that, we fall back into this game. So I feel like it’s a different result if we don’t let them get off to a hot start.”

Boston took control of this game from the get-go with a 14-0 run to open the series. It was a massive statement from the No. 1 seed Celtics, and apparently, they had no intention of looking back.

Erik Spoelstra Reacts to Tough Loss

Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra echoed Adbeyo’s thoughts on Boston’s blistering start. The two-time NBA champion coach also commended the Celtics for their effort in Game 1:

“It’s clear. Boston controlled this game from the tip, the very first possession, offensive rebound then three. And from there, they controlled it,” Spoelstra said. “You have to give them credit, they won the big muscle areas, definitely won the three point line, and the majority of the areas in between, including defensively, they were bumping into us, getting us out of our normal flow, rhythm. So we have to do a much better job by Wednesday.”

As Coach Spo warned, it’s going to be a much different contest in Game 2.

This article first appeared on Hardwood Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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