NBA Playoffs 2011: Chris Bosh Admits That Nerves Got the Better of Him in Game 3

"My emotions got the best of me early on and it kind of dictated what I was doing for the rest of the game."—Chris Bosh.

Boy, did it show.

After playing solidly in Games 1 and 2, Chris Bosh entered a hostile TD Garden and played the most hesitant game of basketball I think I've seen all season.

He passed on shots he would usually take, forced passes that didn't need to be made, and he never really seemed to get into the flow of the game.

His nervousness translated to the defensive side as well. Numerous times he was late on rotations, giving the Celtics wide open jumpers.

Worst of all, after holding Garnett to sub-par performances in the first two games of the series with solid defence, Bosh let Garnett get confident.

This is a bad thing.

Kevin Garnett scored 28 points and pulled down 18 boards, looking like the KG of old. After struggling in Games 1 and 2, this is exactly what Garnett needed to turn his series around.

It isn't what Miami needed.

Chris Bosh is essential to the success of the Heat. This fact has been clearly established over the course of the season.

Heat coach Erik Spoelstra has been quoted many times as saying that the offence runs through Chris Bosh and that, in one way or another, he is involved in nearly every offensive play for Miami.

This does not bode well for Miami if Bosh never gets into the flow of the game.

Now heading into the second encounter with the Celtics in their house, look for Chris Bosh—one can only hope that his nerves have subsided and he can get back to playing solid basketball.

Joel Anthony and Mario Chalmers will not likely combine for 27 points again, so it is crucial that Bosh be aggressive and in attack mode from the opening tip.

One can only hope that this nervousness was a one-time occurrence.

A combination of the atmosphere of TD Garden and the fact that the stakes are higher than the 76ers series may be the cause of these nerves.

One thing is for sure—if Miami wishes to steal Game 4 tonight, Chris Bosh will need to be at the top of his game, nerves or no nerves.