“We simply neeԀ tо step up оur intensity” wаs wҺаt Jrue ҺоliԀаy sаiԀ Ԁuring sҺооtаrоunԀ befоre Gаme 3’s stаrt. Pаy clоser аttentiоn tо tҺe finer pоints, pаrticulаrly tҺe wаy men like tо Ԁrive, get tо tҺe Һооp, аnԀ mаke tҺeir signаture plаys. Put up а bit extrа effоrt tо lоck in.

Those were the words that Jaylen Brown used. “Need to step up our game, put more pressure on the ball, and put in more effort overall,” Brown said.

The Celtics silenced their detractors with a 106-93 victory over the Cavaliers in Game 3, two days following Thursday’s disheartening loss in Game 2 at TD Garden.Early in the third game, Jayson Tatum scored aggressively off solid drives and in transition from beyond the arc. He attempted over half of Boston’s shots in the first quarter and scored twelve points (5-of-9 from the field, 2-of-4 from beyond the arc).

A more forceful Holiday was also a pleasant sight in the opening half. At halftime, Holiday had 15 points and three assists, his only two postseason performances thus far.Brown made 13 of his 17 attempts, going 6 for 7 in the opening seven.

The Celtics took advantage of Cleveland’s attempt to prevent threes by limiting the perimeter players’ pick-up points, by pushing the ball and racing in transition. They shot 55% from the field and outscored the Cavaliers 30-18 in the paint in the first quarter.

The Celtics went on a 14-0 run to start the second half, extending their lead to 23 points. During that decisive and methodical period, Brown and Tatum pounded the paint, setting up Derrick White and Holiday for easy threes. Despite a 9-0 run by Cleveland in response, Boston increased its advantage at halftime from 9 to 15 after the third quarter.