There is a strong argument that Jimmy Butler was going to dominate the Celtics regardless of their defensive strategy. He seems to be in a state of borderline possession, and his performance has led Miami to a 2-0 lead in the series. However, certain factors contributed to Boston’s 111-105 loss in Game 2.
One of the issues was Joe Mazura’s decision to cover Butler alone. In hindsight, many people don’t agree with this strategy. Defensemen often hurt themselves by helping shooters too much. A better plan would be to let everyone stick to their assigned missions and let Butler take contested shots.
However, trash-talking Butler while covering him is unwise. Although people understand that they are competitors in the heat of the moment, Butler is on fire now. Pouring gas on him, like Grant Williams did, only begs for trouble. Williams had just hit a 3-pointer and started barking in Butler’s ear. This seemed to energize Butler, who scored nine of the fourth quarter’s runs, including a crucial three-point play.
Williams’s trash talk wasn’t the only incident that could have provoked Butler. Jaylen Brown made a mistake by engaging in trash talk at an ill-timed moment. However, he didn’t want to discuss it after the game, possibly to avoid throwing his teammate under the bus. The entire Celtics organization seemed to be taped shut, which may have contributed to their loss.
In conclusion, while it’s debatable whether Williams’s trash talk had a significant impact on the game’s outcome, it certainly didn’t help Boston. Ultimately, Butler is a formidable opponent, and trash-talking him on the court is unwise.