Los Boston Celtics they won 96-100 at Miami Heat at the FTX Arena in the seventh and decisive game of their playoff series (4-3)proclaiming themselves champions of the Eastern Conference and returning to the NBA Finals 12 years later.
“In the Celtics we don’t celebrate the Conference Championships, we have bigger plans…”said Ime Udoka, former Murcia and Gran Canaria player in the Endesa League that has led the Celtics to the NBA Finals in his first season as head coach of Boston.
The Heat staged three final minutes of madness against a broken Celtics
When it seemed that the game was decided in favor of the Celtics with 13 points up, the Boston team went into a spin.
And partial 8-0 favorable to Miami and one disastrous streak of those from Massachusetts of going three minutes without scoring They turned the decisive Game 7 of the Eastern Finals upside down.
The Miami Heat, the best regular season team in the East, fell just two points behind (96-98) with a triple by Max Strus that sent FTX Arena crazy.
On the next play, Marcus Smart, very unwise at the rim in his last shots, missed again and left the Heat with the ball to try to win the game.
Jimmy Butler tries a three-pointer
Marcus Smart received a personal foul and, this time, he hit with two free throws that left the score 96-100 with 11 seconds to go, concluding the match.
74 points for Boston between Tatum, Brown and Smart
Jayson Tatum (26 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 steal and 2 blocks), Jaylen Brown (24 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists) and the sometimes fast-paced Marcus Smart (24 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 steals). ) were once again the best players for a Celtics in which Al Horford (14 rebounds) and Grant Williams (11 points) also signed double figures.
Jayson Tatum, MVP of the Eastern Finals and first Larry Bird Trophy
Jimmy Butler scored 35 points and played 48 minutes
The Heat, in which Tyler Herro tried despite being injured and could only play seven minuteswere led by Jimmy Butler (35 points and 9 rebounds) and Bam Adebayo (25 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists).
Kyle Lowry, who had brilliant minutes late in the third quarter to keep Miami alive, finished the night with 15 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals and 1 block.
Top 5 of the match: shooter Max Strus flew more and better than anyone
Top 5 NBA: shooter Max Strus flew more and better than anyone