By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
With three seconds left in the game, the Boston Celtics were down by one and their season was on the line. They needed a big shot, Marcus Smart took it and missed it, but out of nowhere, Derrick White got the tip in just before the buzzer sounded to give them the 104-103 win.
After this result the Eastern Conference Finals are tied at 3-3 and the Celtics are the fourth team to force a Game 7 after trailing a playoff series 3-0 after the 1951 NBA Finals with the Knicks getting Game 7 against. Rochester Royals, the 1994 West Semifinals with the Nuggets doing it against the Jazz, and the 2003 first round with the Blazers pushing the Mavericks to the edge.
However, this is the first time that Game 7 will be played on the home court of the team which made the comeback and the Celtics now have the advantage.
It was a dogfight with Jayson Tatum scoring 25 of his 31 points in the first half, Jalen Brown adding 26 points and Marcus Smart also scoring 21. White added 11 points and the biggest bucket of the night.
From the other side, Jimmy Butler had 24 points but on 5/21 FG. Still, he came alive in the closing seconds, making key plays and giving Miami the 103-102 lead with three made free throws. Caleb Martin with 21 points and 11 rebounds set the tone in the first half, while Gabe Vincent returned from his ankle injury and scored 15.
Boston was missing Malcolm Brogdon due to injury and it remains unclear if he will be available for Game 7 on Monday.