Celtics Defeat Heat, 100-96, to Advance to NBA Finals
The Boston Celtics defeated the host Miami Heat, 100-96, in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals at FTX Arena on Sunday.
This gives Boston the 4-3 series win. They'll face the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals. That series will begin on Thursday, with Golden State as the home team.
It's rare to see a road team win a Game 7 in wire-to-wire fashion but that's what Boston did here. They got out to a 32-17 lead after the first quarter and maintained that lead for the final three quarters. Miami did finish the game on an 11-2 run over the closing 3:20 but the gap was too much to overcome. That 17-point first-quarter lead was the largest margin of the game. The Celtics shot 11-of-32 from three-point range while holding the Heat to just 6-of-30. In addition, Boston out-assisted Miami, 22-16, whie out-rebounding them, 51-44.
The Celtics (4-3) were led by Jayson Tatum, tallying 26 points, 10 rebounds, six assists and two blocks. Marcus Smart collected 24 points, nine rebounds, five assists and two steals. Jaylen Brown had 24 points, six rebounds and six assists, while Al Horford amassed five points, 14 rebounds, three assists and two blocks. Grant Williams led the bench with 11 points and six boards.
The Heat (3-4) were led by Jimmy Butler and his 35 points and nine rebounds. Bam Adebayo accrued 25 points, 11 rebounds and four assists. Kyle Lowry compiled 15 points, seven rebounds, three assists and two steals. Max Strus finished with eight points, eight rebounds, three assists and two blocks, while Victor Oladipo led the bench with nine points, five rebounds and three assists.
This gives Boston the 4-3 series win. They'll face the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals. That series will begin on Thursday, with Golden State as the home team.
It's rare to see a road team win a Game 7 in wire-to-wire fashion but that's what Boston did here. They got out to a 32-17 lead after the first quarter and maintained that lead for the final three quarters. Miami did finish the game on an 11-2 run over the closing 3:20 but the gap was too much to overcome. That 17-point first-quarter lead was the largest margin of the game. The Celtics shot 11-of-32 from three-point range while holding the Heat to just 6-of-30. In addition, Boston out-assisted Miami, 22-16, whie out-rebounding them, 51-44.
The Celtics (4-3) were led by Jayson Tatum, tallying 26 points, 10 rebounds, six assists and two blocks. Marcus Smart collected 24 points, nine rebounds, five assists and two steals. Jaylen Brown had 24 points, six rebounds and six assists, while Al Horford amassed five points, 14 rebounds, three assists and two blocks. Grant Williams led the bench with 11 points and six boards.
The Heat (3-4) were led by Jimmy Butler and his 35 points and nine rebounds. Bam Adebayo accrued 25 points, 11 rebounds and four assists. Kyle Lowry compiled 15 points, seven rebounds, three assists and two steals. Max Strus finished with eight points, eight rebounds, three assists and two blocks, while Victor Oladipo led the bench with nine points, five rebounds and three assists.