The Boston Celtics made several key adjustments in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals to earn their first win over the Miami Heat and climb back into this series.
But they don't play in a vacuum.
So, just as the Celtics learned lessons from their losses in Games 1 and 2, the Heat are investigating what changes they should make after dropping Game 3.
Stay in the game with the latest updates on your beloved Boston sports teams! Sign up here for our All Access Daily newsletter.
Blakely: Is this small-ball lineup a game-changer for C's?
One of those changes could involve forwardĀ Jae Crowder. The C's switched theĀ 6-foot Kemba Walker onto Crowder in Game 3, allowing first-team All-Defense guardĀ Marcus Smart to lock up the red-hot Goran Dragic.
Despite his considerable size advantage over Walker, Crowder attempted all of his shots from beyond the arc, going 2-for-10 from 3-point range.
The ex-Celtics forward hinted Miami will have a different plan of attack ready if Walker defends him again in Game 4.
Boston Celtics
"Obviously, I donāt want to give everything away," Crowder told reporters Monday, via Ira Winderman of the Orlando Sun-Sentinel. "But, obviously, weāve got to make adjustments, and thatās what weāve been doing.
"Weāve been practicing, watching film. Weāll continue to do so. But obviously itāll be a different game plan, different approach moving forward."
Game 4 isn't until Wednesday, which means head coach Erik Spoelstra and the Heat have a few extra days to consider their next move against Brad Stevens and Co.
Celtics Talk Podcast:Ā After Game 3 victory, are the Celtics winning this series vs. Heat?Ā | Listen & subscribe | Watch on YouTube
"Itās the playoffs. Itās about making adjustments and moving pieces around and trying to adjust,ā Crowder added. "So without giving too much away, this is a chess match. Itās two good teams going head to head, two good coaches coaching at their best."
Crowder has been the definition of a "three-and-D" player in this series, with all but 25 of his 29 shot attempts coming from 3-point range.
Recognizing that Crowder isn't attacking the basket, the C's made a smart adjustment by defending him with the smaller Walker.
Crowder and the Heat are aware of that adjustment, though -- which means Miami has the next move.