The Miami Heat headed into the NBA Finals after a decisive 103-84 victory over the Boston Celtics in what was Game 7 a series for the ages.
A rematch of last year’s Eastern Conference Finals, this matchup saw a different outcome in 2022. But after Boston edged out Miami in seven games, Jimmy Butler’s prophecy was spoken of. “We will return to the same position,” Butler said then. “And we will get it done.”
A year later, his words came true when his team — after going up 3-0 to start — apparently found the safety had been on for the past three games, so they turned it around and pulled the trigger on the series. Miami shrugged off the drama from the coin toss that was in Game 6. The Heat thought their fate was sealed until Derrick White’s heroics were saved at the last split second.
Butler and coach Erik Spoelstra never missed a beat, however. They knew they wouldn’t lose the clincher.
“We will do the same test until we pass it,” Butler said on saturday. “I know we can do it.”
Despite the grief over the Bell, Miami’s position has not wavered. They embraced the opportunity and privilege of playing Game 7.
“This is what you dream about,” Spoilstra mentioned. “You spend all your time training in the summer for moments like this. They’re not for everyone, but neither are we.”
Then came Monday night, and the nation’s eyes were glued to Game 7. Boston’s end came in the first minute when Jason Tatum tweaked his ankle on a bad touchdown on the first possession. With their star player in danger within seconds, the Celtics have never been able to set a tone through the game. The first quarter ended as Boston’s lowest shooting period with 15 points and 0/10 from three point shooting. Miami was seven, but they stepped on the gas before putting cruise control on.
Although it wasn’t the easiest journey for both sides, these teams made it as ugly as possible for each other. It wasn’t the most interesting game offensively, but the defenses were busy. Miami shot 48.8% from the field. Meanwhile, Boston had a concussion rate of 39%. Game 7 felt like round 15 of a 1970s boxing tournament. It wasn’t just about who was willing to win but who was refusing to lose. We’re talking about the stars rocking the field as players don masks and gowns.
Named Eastern Conference Finals Most Valuable Player, Butler scored 28 points, seven rebounds, six assists and three steals to lead the Heat’s way. However, this win would not have been possible without Caleb Martin’s great performance. The undrafted forward scored 26 points and ten rebounds while shooting 4/6 from three.
With Tatum hurting, Jaylen Brown led the way for Boston with 19 points, eight rebounds, and five assists. on the flip side; His eight turnovers were bad news for his team. White’s work ethic was on display again with 18 points. Unfortunately, while his effort has been infectious in the past three games, his teammates seemed immune to it on Monday.
After forcing a Game 7 into a love three, fans began to believe the Celtics could be the first to come back from this deficit. In the end, they did not make it to the date. The Heat joined the 1999 New York Knicks as the only eighth-ranked teams to reach the NBA Finals. They now have the chance to be the first to win the title from this position. The Celtics, on the other hand, join 150 other teams who have failed to beat the 3-0 hole.
If The Heat brings the show to South Flordia this summer, that would be the perfect way to wrap up such an amazing race. From losing the first Play-In, beating The Greek Freak, and rallying with New York to skipping this tight series with Boston.
But they cannot be negative. They need all hands on deck, from Spoelstra, the stars, and the unmade crew that made their way here, all the way to the end bench, and the water boy. They cannot afford to make mistakes, as Nikola Jokic and his cohorts will punish them for being absent-minded and not executing.
Boston’s reassessment phase now begins. Meanwhile, Miami has a well-rested Denver Nuggets waiting for them on top of the mountain. The NBA Finals begins Thursday, June 1 at 8:30 PM ET.