BOSTON -- As the Miami Heat get set to face the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference finals for the third time in four seasons, Heat coach Erik Spoelstra knows that one of the biggest keys to the series will be the same as it ever was: Slowing down Celtics All-Stars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.
"It's easier said than done," Spoelstra said after Wednesday's shootaround in advance of Game 1. "You have to do your work early. Weakside defenders have to be in their spots early ... they're a very good driving team because of those two guys [Tatum and Brown] collapse your defense and then have spacing, and they're very disciplined with their spacing, with a bunch of 40% 3-point shooters.