Ime Udoka says Celtics need to avoid a slow start in Gm7 vs Miami

Boston Celtics are preparing to face the Miami Heat in a win-or-go-home Game 7 and Ime Udoka stated Boston will need to make a better start than the one they had in Game 6 of the series.

“A lot has to do with our starts and having to play catch-up the whole game,” Udoka told reporters. “We understood the situation Miami was in last night and didn’t play our best basketball in the first quarter defensively and offensively. Playing behind the eight-ball most of the game.”

Apart from that, Boston will need to keep engaged their two stars in the game. In the previous contest, Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum combined for seven shots in the second half. They had 18 points at the intermission.

The Celtics had a chance to close-out the series but Jimmy Butler, the Cs’ turnovers and the slow start of the home side led the Miami Heat to the win. Udoka referred to the Gm7 vs Milwaukee the previous round as a great example of what they want to do Sunday.

“We’d like to get off to better starts, put some pressure on the opponent when they’re in that situation, similar to what we did against Milwaukee in Game 7. That’s our mindset coming in. Obviously, going into [Miami], we want to start better,” Udoka said.

The Celtics will face the Heat in Miami on Sunday night.

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