The Heat they were behind on the FTX Arena score all match but had a golden opportunity to take the lead down the stretch.
Jimmy Butlerwho had another titanic performance of 35 points and 9 rebounds, missed a hasty triple with 16 seconds left when the Celtics only had a two-point lead (98-96).
“I thought about going for the victory, and I did. I missed a shot, but I accept it”explained Butler. “My teammates liked the shot so I can live with it”he added.
Marcus Smart (24 points) sentenced the victory from the free throw line and, after the buzzer, the players of the Celtics they ran to congratulate the Dominican Al Horford (5 points and 14 rebounds), who will play his first Finals at 35 years old.
“This group is special. I am happy to share this moment with these guys”said the five-time All-Star center excitedly.
Butlerwho on Friday forced this seventh game with 47 points in Boston, played the 48 minutes of the game in a desperate attempt to carry a team depleted by the injuries of figures such as Tyler Herro, Kyle Lowry and his own Butler.
The exhibition of the spectacular escort was not enough for Miami had a rematch at Finals after their loss in 2020 against the Lakers of Lebron James.
“It wasn’t good enough. I didn’t do enough”he lamented Jimmy. “The statistics mean nothing. I learned that I have to be better and I will be. We are going to come back better than ever”added Butler.
The Celticsmeanwhile, will play their 22nd Finals in the 75 seasons of the NBA. His last appearance ended with a loss in 2010 against the Lakers of Kobe Bryant Y Paul Gasol.
The last celebration of this aristocratic franchise was in 2008 also before the Lakerswhen they won their 17th ring with a team they led Paul PierceKevin Garnett Y Ray Allen.
Jayson Tatum, first MVP of the Eastern finals
The current star of Bostonthe young man Jayson Tatumsigned on Sunday 26 points and was chosen with the first prize MVP (Most Valuable Player) of the Eastern finals, named after the legend Larry Bird.
“Overcoming the bump with this group means everything (…) Not many people believed in us, but it has turned out well”declared Tatumwho played with a wristband with the number 24 of Kobe Bryant and the colors of Lakersthe archrival of Boston.
“He was my idol, my aspiration, my favorite player”explained Tatum on Kobe. “Today I put on some videos of him before the biggest game of my career. I wanted to honor him and share this moment in some way.”
The Celticswho had lost four conference finals since 2010, two of them to Miamibroke this time the barrier in a season that many gave for lost.
In mid-January, the Celtics They ranked eleventh in the Eastoutside even of the playoff places to Playoffs.
Some voices called to break up the duo of young stars that form Tatum Y Jaylene Brown (24 points) and others to dismiss Ime Udokamaking his debut as head coach in the league.
But the franchise kept its bet and reacted strongly to finish in second place in the regular phase.
In the Playoffs they eliminated the Nets of Kevin Durant Y Kyrie Irving already the bucks of Giannis Antetokounmpothe current champions.
Now the last hurdle Boston to be crowned the most winning franchise are the Warriors of Stephen Currywho want to revive the dynasty with which they won three rings between 2015 and 2018.
The only confrontation between the two in the Finals It happened in 1964 with the triumph of Boston.
Source: Ambito
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