Ime Udoka: Celtics need better start, can't 'play catch-up' in Game 7 vs. Heat

The Boston Celtics will need a much better first half in Game 7 against the Miami Heat if the team hopes to reach the 2022 NBA Finals, says coach Ime Udoka.

Boston trailed after the first quarter in three of its last four games against Miami, including a Game 6 loss when the Heat jumped out to a 12-5 lead in the opening minutes of the game. The Celtics got their first lead of the game late in the second quarter, but lost 111-103.

"A lot has to do with our starts and having to play catch-up the whole game," Udoka told reporters Saturday, via ESPN's Tim Bontemps. "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. Although we got the lead late or tied it quite a few times, it felt like we were always in an uphill battle, shooting ourselves in the foot.

"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. We have confidence in going down there winning, too, but we have to get ourselves off to better starts, get ourselves easy baskets and not give them life early in the game."

The Celtics trailed after each of the first two quarters in Game 5 as well, but dominated the second half to come back and win, 93-80.

The Eastern Conference Finals will be decided Sunday night when Game 7 tips off at 8:30 p.m. ET.