Boston Celtics: 5 Takeaways from Game 3 Victory

Boston Celtics: 5 Takeaways From Game 3 Victory

Apr 21, 2017; Chicago, IL, USA; Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas (4) moves around defenderChicago Bulls center Robin Lopez (8) during the second half in game three of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Caylor Arnold-USA TODAY Sports /

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Apr 21, 2017; Chicago, IL, USA; Boston Celtics guard Avery Bradley (0) reacts after being fouled by Chicago Bulls forward Jimmy Butler (not pictured) during the second half in game three of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Caylor Arnold-USA TODAY Sports /

Balanced Attack > Isaiah Thomas One-Man Band

Throughout the regular season, Boston Celtics fans were used to seeing Isaiah Thomas dominate both the ball and the box score on offense. The Celtics were an oddity among the NBA’s elite in the fact that they really only had one go-to player, unlike most top seeds.

During Game 3, the Celtics deployed a balanced attack and the offense looked lethal.

No one scored over 20 points for the Celtics, but the four starters besides Green scored between 15 and 18 points. Al Horford (18), Thomas and Jae Crowder (16), and Avery Bradley (15), as well as Terry Rozier (11), all scored in double figures.

Having five or more double-figure scorers is a good barometer for victory and was accurate in this instance.

The Celtics drove and kicked the ball out to the 3-point line throughout the game. Thomas had nine assists, Bradley had seven, and Horford had six. As a team, the Celtics shot a blistering 46 percent (17-for-37) from the beyond the 3-point line.

Every starter hit at least two 3-point field goals. Bradley hit four and Rozier made three off the bench. This offense looked like a well-oiled machine, and the Celtics’ ball movement was among the best it’s been all season.

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