In Game 1 of the series against the Miami Heat, the Boston Celtics suffered a 123-116 loss despite leading by nine points at halftime. The Heat dominated the Celtics in the third quarter, outscoring them by 21 points and setting a franchise record with 46 points. Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla drew criticism for his postgame comments, emphasizing that the team had won three out of four quarters and downplaying the significance of their struggles in the third quarter. Mazzulla’s decision not to call timeouts during the Heat’s momentum shift was also questioned. However, Celtics player Marcus Smart defended the coach, stating that the players should take responsibility for their performance. The focus now shifts to Game 2, where the Celtics face the challenge of making adjustments and regaining momentum on their home court.