Ten national reactions to the Heat’s 128-101 win over Boston in Game 3 that came down hard on the Celtics:
1. TNT host Ernie Johnson welcomed viewers to its postgame show by saying, “It feels a lot more like a ‘Forensic Files’ episode after watching that.”
“I’ve got a question,’’ Shaquille O’Neal said.
“You have a question before we show the highlights?” Johnson said.
“We’re going to show the highlights of that?” Charles Barkley said.
“Since the Celtics quit, can we quit?” O’Neal asked.
2. “Game 3 was a disgraceful performance by the once-proud Celtics. Even though it’s not over, don’t you want it to be?” — Boston Globe headline.
3. The Ringer’s Bill Simmons, noted Boston fan: “The fall of the Celtics defense in 2023 is just dumbfounding. Kudos to Miami for knowing exactly how to attack a disconnected, poorly coached half-asleep team. This is embarrassing.”
4. ESPN’s Brian Windhorst: “That Celtic locker room, whooo, ice cold. I tell you, this was a combination of things. Whenever you see some sort of even like this happen where there’s a huge upset it’s not just one thing. The Celtics’ defense, particularly, year over year, where they were a year ago when they were the second best defense in the playoffs. They’re 10th these playoffs. They were so soft this game, and they’ve been trending that way all year. They’re 10th in the playoffs this year. And, boy, did you feel it. They were soft on their switches. They were soft on their close-outs. They let the Miami players make the first move … As significant a beat-down as I can remember seeing in a game of this caliber.”
5. More Barkley: “I’m embarrassed for the Celtics. That display of basketball, no mental toughness, complaining on every single call — now they are getting away from the calls — but they made the refs mad. The lack of mental toughness is embarrassing. I’ve been fortunate and blessed to play against the Lakers and Celtics, the two best organizations in NBA history. That was an embarrassment for the Celtics, Paul Pierce, (Kevin) Garnett, Larry Bird M.L. Carr, Kevin McHale, whoever I played against.”
6. Kevin Garnett on Twitter: “Kill the undrafted player talk with the Heat like they’re a bunch of nobodies! They’re the biggest dogs with the most adversity faced than anybody … ”
7. More Shaq: “I respect Joe Mazzulla for taking all the blame. But I don’t want to hear that. As a superstar, I cannot go 6-for-17. Chuck, as my other superstar, he can’t go 6-for-18. Let’s just keep it real — The Celtics are way too cool for me. They’re too cool … Jimmy Butler and them, they come out, they’re playing good, clean basketball. Celtics came out with no sense of urgency. The Heat knew what they had to do. And they’re committed to doing it. They’ve been doing it all year.”
8. Eddie House, former Heat and Celtics player doing work for NBC Sports in Boston: “The biggest take away is, the Miami Heat are more prepared and — damn that, let me say this: I feel like the Celtics have quit on their coach. Let’s call it what we really see. I feel that those guys out there don’t believe in what their coach is doing. We’ve seen that done in many other places. I don’t believe that they really believe in Joe Mazzulla … man, I hate to say this. At the end of the day, I wouldn’t be surprised if we go in and lay another egg, because we’ve been laying them this whole series.”
9. Magic Johnson: “In my 44 years of being associated with the NBA I never thought I’d see a Boston Celtics team, a franchise with 17 Championships, quit. I know Celtics fans all over the world must be disgusted and devastated. The Miami Heat blew them out 128-102 in Game 3.”
10. Finally, Heat guard Gabe Vincent visited the TNT postgame show and said about Tuesday’s Game 4 and the Celtics: “They’re a really good team. They’re not gonna lay down.”
“Clearly you didn’t watch the game tonight,’’ Barkley said. “Go look at the tape again.”
