The Celtics twice opened up a double-digit lead and seemed to run away with the win, but driven by a stupid local crowd, Miami bounced back twice and even had a chance to win it late.
With the Heat below two points, star striker Jimmy Butler opted to make a transition triple with 14 seconds left for the clock, only to see that his effort fell short and the front of the clock was broken. the country.
Then, Marcus Smart received a free kick after Al Horford had secured the rebound for the Celtics and went on to make his two free throws to secure the victory and arrange a final meeting with the Golden State Warriors.
“We’ve been through a lot of adversity this year. We’re a tough team and tonight seemed to mean our season,” Celtics coach Ime Udoka told Reuters.
“It looks like we’ll never be able to close the door and have to dodge it. This is a typical Celtic victory.”
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Jayson Tatum, who won the inaugural Larry Bird Trophy as MVP of the Eastern Conference Finals, led the Celtics with 26 points, 10 rebounds and six assists.
For the seventh game, Tatum wore a bracelet in the colors of the bitter rivals of the Celtics, the Los Angeles Lakers, with the number 24 of his late “idol” Kobe Bryant.
“That was my inspiration, my favorite player,” Tatum told reporters. “The shoes I wore in the last couple of games were dedicated to him.
“Today, before I take a nap, I do it sometimes, I was watching a movie, some moments of him and his career. This is the most important game of my career so far and I wanted to wear this bracelet to pay tribute to him and share this moment in some way. “
Tatum had a great night from Marcus Smart, who finished with 24 points, nine rebounds and five assists, and Jaylen Brown, who recorded 24 points, six rebounds and six assists.
For the Heat, Butler continued his excellent playoff form and led his team with 35 points and nine rebounds. Butler had twice surpassed 40 points during that series to drag Miami to a Game 7, but said he was not happy with his performance on Sunday.
“Not good enough,” Butler said. “I didn’t do my job … the statistics don’t mean anything. The Boston Celtics came out and did what they had to do in the series.
“I’ve learned I have to be better and I’ll be better.”
Bam Adebayo, who finished with 25 points, 11 rebounds and four assists, perhaps best summed up how Miami felt after the game.
At one point, captured by the camera, Adebayo opened his T-shirt as he returned to the locker room and said, “F ** k.”