Celtics’ Stevens draws from Pats’ Belichick ahead of series

Bill Belichick already has toyed with South Florida sports emotions once this week, with his New England Patriots rolling past the Miami Dolphins on Sunday. Now his coaching philosophy apparently will be in play in the Miami Heat’s playoff series against the Boston Celtics.

Asked in advance in Tuesday night’s opening game of the Eastern Conference finals if the Celtics’ recent playoff experience could be an advantage against the Heat, Boston coach Brad Stevens turned to the book of Belichick.

“As far as when you’re in the game and playing the game and playing against Miami,” Stevens said, “I think I’ll go with coach Belichick: History and experience don’t mean a whole lot; it’s how you play that night.”

Stevens also expressed his admiration for Heat coach Erik Spoelstra.

“I just can’t tell you how exceptionally well coached they are,” he said. “Everybody knows that. I think that when you’re diving in as an opposing coach, you really have great admiration for what they do on both ends, but certainly on [the offensive] end with all the different guys and playing to the strengths of their guys.

“Everything they run has a purpose. Everything they run has a direct line to the strengths of their players. Just really, really good.”

The series has Heat center Kelly Olynyk facing the team he helped guide to the 2017 Eastern Conference finals. Of that Celtics team, only Jaylen Brown and Marcus Smart remain with Boston.

“It’s way different than when I played there,” said Olynyk, who left the Celtics for the Heat in 2017 free agency. “There’s only two guys who I played with that are still on that team just three years ago. Different style, different personnel, but same coach, same philosophy, same offensive style.”

That 2016-17 Celtics roster underwent a major offseason overhaul, with Kyrie Irving, Gordon Hayward and Jaylen Brown added, among others.

“I guess there’s always that if it’s not broke, don’t fix it,” he said. “But everybody is just doing their job. Obviously, Danny Ainge is doing his job.

“It’s also a business. Money goes into it, salary cap, all that kind of stuff. So it’s different.”

Still, Olynyk said he remains curious about what might have been.

“We had a great team who really played together, played with each other, and we had a good run there,” he said. “Obviously would have been cool to see what we could have done the following year or the next year. But sometimes in life that doesn’t happen. But I’m happy to be back with this opportunity and this team.”

Waiting game: Teammates continue to wait for Hayward to receive clearance to return from the severely sprained right ankle that had him ruled out for Tuesday’s series opener.

Jason Tatum said having Hayward back at practice is a good starting point.

“Yeah, I’ve talked to him. Looked good. Happy to have him back, just to even be around,” Tatum said. “Obviously, we hope that he can play, get back healthy. But just to have G back around the team has been good.”

Cramming time: Amid the deepest playoff run of his career, Celtics guard Kemba Walker said there, indeed, has been some cramming involved.

“I try my best to watch as much film as I can,” said Walker, who left the Charlotte Hornets to sign with the Celtics last offseason. “That’s the best way to kind of get to know your opponents. Obviously, I’ve been around for a long time, so I’ve watched a lot of film. I’ve learned over the years. But yeah, it’s just a way to get your mind prepared for what you’re getting into.

“Like I’ve said, Miami is such a great team with great players, I want to give myself kind of an edge. When I’m in a game, I want to know what plays are coming and I want to know guys’ tendencies and stuff like that. Just trying to prepare myself mentally for battle.”