Heat hope to correct ‘discrepancy’ in 3-point shooting in Game 2

BOSTON– One game into their first-round series with the Boston Celtics, the underdog Miami Heat realize they ca n’t afford to be outshot from the 3-point line nearly as drastically as they were Sunday.

Boston, which had the league’s highest 3-point try level by considerably during the regular season, hit a company postseason record 22 3-pointers in Game 1. Every one Celtics person who took the jury finished with at least one 3-pointer, the first time in NBA history a team has accomplished that miracle in a playoff game.

Through three quarters Sunday, Boston was outscoring Miami by 42 points from the 3-point stripe, and had more threes in that third period ( seven ) than the Heat had for the entire game to that point ( five ).

Miami Heat manager Erik Spoelstra said that closing the gap may involve both a concerted offensive and defensive energy.

” I understand the math to it: You do n’t want to lose in a certain area by 30 points,” he said Tuesday, one day before the teams square off for Game 2. ” It’s probably going to require some balance, because we’re not going to bring them down to 25 [attempts ], and we’re not going to shoot 50 of them– that’s not realistic. “

Miami shooter Duncan Robinson echoed the thought.

” We realize we’re not gonna necessarily take as many as them, but the discrepancy ca n’t be what it was in Game 1,” Robinson said.

The Heat’s problem, of course, is twofold. For starters, Miami is still without two of its best playmakers– Jimmy Butler and Terry Rozier are dealing with knee and neck injuries, both– who would usually help open up more drive-and-kick looks from the outside.

In terms of Miami’s protective approach, it’s good much easier said than done to reduce Boston’s perimeter offense.

With the addition of Kristaps Porzingis, the Celtics have a five-out portfolio, allowing them to place the ground in a way that makes it incredibly difficult to control their efforts. That becomes even more real if an opponent wants to overspend by often throwing numerous defenders at All-NBA ahead Jayson Tatum.

In Game 1, Boston feasted in circumstances where Tatum got doubled. The Celtics shot 5-for-9 total and 4-for-7 from 3 when Tatum passed out of those circumstances, according to ESPN Stats & Data. In general, the Celtics shot 7-of-12 from the circle off passes directly from Tatum.

Boston supply Payton Pritchard said he and his colleagues may simply have to adjust and get the drives and premium looks that become available if Miami sells out on defending the 3-point line.

” We have to just consider what the defence gives us,” Pritchard said after the Celtics ‘ workout Tuesday evening. ” We have a lot of different choices, and that’s what makes us painful to watch. “