The Boston Celtics easily defeated the Miami Heat 114-94 in Game 1 of the playoff series, but controversy arose late in the game.
As Celtics star Jayson Tatum went for the rebound, Caleb Martin rushed into the paint and delivered a hard block. Tatum fell hard to the ground. Martin exchanged words with Jaylen Brown while Tatum walked away from the commotion. At this point, there were 59.4 seconds left in the game.
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On Sunday, April, during the second half of Game 1 of the first round NBA Basketball playoff series, Miami Heat forward Caleb Martin, behind center, in front of Celtics guard #7 Jaylen Brown of the Boston Celtics. forward and center fielder Jayson Tatum. 21, 2024, Boston. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Brian Scalabrine, a former Celtics player and current analyst for NBC Sports Boston, suggested there may be a sinister reason behind Martin’s dive into the paint.
“The only thing I can say about this is, I’m not trying to start anything here, but just… (Heat coach) Erik Spoelstra called a timeout at 1:30 with a 16 (point) lead. , and 30 seconds later the play happens,” Scalabrine said. “Why did he take a timeout at 1:30 down 16? Why was that play made 30 seconds later? I don’t know, it looked shady to me.”
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Mr. Scalabrine suggested that Mr. Spoelstra ordered a “Code Red” after the movie “A Few Good Men.”
Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (center) hits Miami Heat forward Caleb during the second half of Game 1 of the first round of the NBA basketball playoff series on Sunday, April 21, 2024, in Boston. Pass the ball to Martin (right). (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
“What I’m saying is, what was that play? I didn’t like it. … That was a dirty play to me.”
Tatum recorded his first career postseason triple-double with 23 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists. Derrick White had 20 points and four assists.
“It’s a physical game against a physical team. The worst is going to happen,” Tatum said of Martin’s play. “It’s probably not the last time I get hit like that or fouled in this series. I didn’t get hurt when I got hit like that. I just got up. … I just got down there and knocked down the free throws. “under. “
Boston Celtics forward #0 Jayson Tatum hits Miami Heat forward #5 during the first half of Game 1 of the first round of the NBA basketball playoff series on Sunday, April 21, 2024 in Boston. overtake Nikola Jovic. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
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Game 2 is scheduled for Tuesday night in Boston.
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