The Boston Celtics edged out the Miami Heat in a dramatic fashion 104-103 on Saturday night to force Game 7 in the Eastern Conference finals.
ANOTHER ONE#UnfinishedBusiness pic.twitter.com/K2OH0yg2mb
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) May 28, 2023
Jayson Tatum led the way for the Boston team with 31 points, while Jaylen Brown had 26 points and Marcus Smart added another 21 points.
It all came down to the last seconds as Smart attempted a 3-pointer with only 3 seconds left, but missed. Then came Derrick White, who picked the ball from the inbound spot to the rim and got the lay-in away just before the clock ran out to send the Boston team and crowd into jubilation.
“Just resiliency from the guys,” Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla said. “That’s it.”
The Celtics are on the verge of making history as they become only the 4th team to erase 3-0 lead and force a deciding game. All of their predecessors-the New York Knicks in 1951 finals, the Denver Nuggets in 1994 second-round and Portland Trail Blazers in 2003 first-round failed to take the final game. However, they were all on the road. whereas Boston will play at their home-ground.
For Miami Jimmy Butler scored 24 points, while Caleb Martin added another 21. They have now lost more games the last week than the entire playoff run. They will be desperate to rediscover their form and finish the job in Game 7.