Boston Beats the Miami Heat to Move on To the Finals Against Golden State

After defeating the Miami Heat 100-96 in Game 7 on the road Sunday night, the Boston Celtics will return to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2010. The Celtics advanced to the NBA Finals, where they will face the Golden State Warriors in Game 1 on Thursday in San Francisco. Jayson Tatum led the way with 26 points, while Jaylen Brown and Marcus Smart each contributed 24 points.
The Celtics led from start to finish, and they fought back every time the Heat went on a run. Miami made a late charge to narrow the lead to two points, but Boston held on for the victory. Jimmy Butler carried Miami’s offence for the majority of the game, scoring 35 points while playing the entire game.
Moreover, with the win, Boston’s Ime Udoka becomes the first rookie head coach in NBA history to win multiple Game 7s; the Celtics defeated the Bucks 109-81 in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference semifinals earlier this season.
Jimmy Butler’s Crazy Stamina and Form
Butler’s Game 7 performance was outstanding. As Boston failed to contain him for the second game in a row, he got to the free-throw line almost whenever he wanted. He spent the entire night hustling for rebounds, loose balls, and playing the Jimmy Butler style of basketball without taking a single break longer than a timeout.
Butler’s performance though outstanding, wasn’t a one man show he got a little help from his team mates as well, Bam Adebayo’s 25 points. Lowry chipped in 15 points as well, but it was the Butler show today, and that’s why the Heat lost.
After 141 Games Al Horford Finally gets a Title Shot
Horford held the record for most playoff games played (141), despite never making it to the NBA Finals. With Boston’s victory tonight, that run has come to an end, and the veteran forward will get his first chance at a championship. Horford has appeared in the playoffs 13 times in his 15-year career, reaching the conference finals three times (once with Atlanta and twice with Boston), but has never advanced further. Horford will get his first, and perhaps best, shot at a ring after years of not getting there.