After three video games and three quarters of methodically chipping away – and coming tantalizingly shut to creating historical past – the Celtics ran out of steam in Recreation 7 towards the Warmth.
Miami earned a 103-84 victory on Monday at TD Backyard, profitable the collection 4 video games to 3 and advancing to face the Denver Nuggets within the NBA Finals.
Jayson Tatum sprained his ankle on the primary play of the sport, Jaylen Brown had eight turnovers, the Celtics shot 21.4 p.c from 3, and Boston scored simply 18 factors in a dreadful fourth quarter. Jimmy Butler led the way in which with 28, and Celtics killer Caleb Martin added 26.
The Celtics have been sluggish and out of kinds the majority of the night time. They confirmed indicators of life in flashes, however the Warmth withstood each surge and avenged final yr’s loss on the identical juncture.
NBA groups at the moment are 0-151 after falling behind 0-3 in a collection – not 1-150.
It wasn’t fairly early, both, however they did sufficient to hold round.
Tatum injured his ankle 26 seconds into the sport and gave the impression to be in some ache the remainder of the way in which. Brown turned the 1A choice and stored the Celtics afloat, but Martin continued to cook dinner and the Warmth took a 22-15 edge by means of one.
The Celtics shot simply 6-for-23 (26.1 p.c) from the sphere and 0-for-10 from 3-point vary and had practically as many turnovers (4) as they did area targets within the quarter. They got here out with these early-game jitters that usually appear to accompany a large recreation like this one. It was as tough because it sounds.
Miami prolonged its result in 38-21 with 7:32 left within the half. Boston fell behind by 17 or more 11 times this season and lost all 11. The percentages have been considerably stacked towards the Celtics as soon as once more, however (for no matter purpose) that’s precisely the place they really feel their most comfy.
As they’ve constantly completed all season, and all collection, they responded. Robert Williams completed an alley-oop, Tatum scored in transition and Derrick White buried a 3. The Celtics briefly lower it to eight, they usually trailed, 52-41, on the half.
It was a basic “they performed terribly, however they’re solely down 11” half, nevertheless it was true. They have been solely down 11.
A mini 8-0 flurry from White – together with an and-one with a celebration from the bottom – lower the deficit to 59-51 within the third quarter. Williams discovered Tatum for 3, then White scored inside once more. The Backyard crowd was able to explode – concurrently antsy and enthusiastic, prepared for a run.
However Martin stored the Warmth in entrance with a collection of spectacular pictures. The Warmth took a 76-66 edge into the fourth.
The Celtics have been proper there, they usually wanted to discover a method to recover from the hump, however Martin and Co. merely wouldn’t permit it, although. Miami saved its finest for final and pulled away to stop the Celtics from getting again to the NBA Finals.
Boston finally dug itself in too deep of a gap. Recreation 7 was a microcosm of the collection, because the Celtics faltered early, responded, then struggled mightily late.
There shall be no parade. A protracted and pivotal offseason awaits.
