Locked On Celtics - Daily Podcast On The Boston Celtics Locked On Podcast Network

The Celtics got another relatively easy win over the Miami Heat in Game 4 of their opening round series, thanks to 38 points from Derrick White. But the bigger story is losing Kristaps Porzingis to a calf injury in the first half. John Karalis of Boston Sports Journal explains why Game 5 is now a must-win closeout game because of the injury. Plus, why the defense was good enough, and why their game plan against the Heat takes away any math advantage Miami is hoping for.

The Celtics answered Miami's adjustments in Game 3 and played a great game. Can Boston keep their heads and do what's necessary to close this series? Can Miami get out of the season-long habits that crept back in during Game 3? How do the Celtics avoid taking the bait when Erik Spoelstra tries to keep Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown from distributing to Derrick White, Kristaps Porzingis and the rest of the Celtics? John Karalis of Boston Sports Journal and Locked On Heat host Wes Golberg get together for a crossover preview of Game 4.

The Celtics dominated Game 3 with their defense, holding Miami to only 84 points and keeping them from getting anything substantial from the 3-point line. John Karalis of Boston Sports Journal gets into the big bounce-back game for Boston, how their defense dominated, how Kristaps Porzingis and Derrick White were able to supplement Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, and more.

Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown had big games but didn't get enough help from Kristap Porzingis, Derrick White, and Jrue Holiday. Can that turn around in Game 3 against the heat? On this special crossover edition, the hosts of Locked On Heat and Locked On Celtics come together to preview Saturday's big Game 3 in Miami. Wes Goldberg, David Ramil and John Karalis discuss the biggest storylines for each team including the pressure on the Celtics and whether Miami's Game 2 formula is repeatable before breaking down the adjustments they expect each team to make.

Miami hit more 3-pointers than they ever have in a playoff game, setting a team record to flip the script on Boston and win Game 2 in Boston. They won the 3-point battle by 33 and won by 10, making all the adjustments we expected and playing a nearly perfect game. Meanwhile, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown put up big numbers and got no help from anyone else, but it was Miami's defense that baited Boston's stars into playing how the Heat wanted. Still, John Karalis of Boston Sports Journal says it's no time to panic.

The Celtics and Heat face off in Game 2 on Wednesday night, and it a weird way, the Caleb Martin play on Jayson Tatum might end up playing out in Boston's favor. John Karalis of Boston Sports Journal explains why, and then gets into why Joe Mazzulla is more concerned about his team just doing what they did all over again. Plus, Erik Spoelstra acknowledges his team needs to shoot more 3-pointers, but are they capable of shooting enough to make a difference? What kind of defensive trick might they try to slow Boston's shooting down?