From 3-0 down, Boston Celtics tie Eastern Conference finals 3-3 against Miami Heat

Ayomikun Elemikan Sports 28/05/2023

The Boston Celtics produced a remarkable comeback, earning a dramatic buzzer-beater, to beat Miami Heats 104-103 and tie the Eastern Conference finals 3-3.

Celtics were 3-0 down but have levelled the series after displaying so much grit and power. Derrick White scored the buzzer-beater to earn the vital win.

The Miami Heats surrendered a 3-0 Eastern Conference finals lead, allowing the Boston Celtics tie the series 3-3 (Image: @HoopsGraphic)

With the Celtics trailing 103-102, Marcus Smart’s three-point attempt at the death bounced off the rim but White tipped it in just before the buzzer.

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In history, no NBA team has come from 3-0 down to win a best-of-seven play-off series. If the Celtics can pull that off, it will be the greatest comeback in history.

Although the Celtics led for most of the contest at the Kaseya Center in Florida, the Heat looked to have secured the win – and the series – after Jimmy Butler was fouled by Al Horford when attempting a three-pointer with three seconds remaining.

Jimmy Butler sunk all three free throws after he was fouled by Al Horford. He looked to have given Miami Heats the win before White’s incredible feat swung the game in Boston Celtics’ advantage.

What they said

Speaking to the press after the enthralling contest, White said: “Ball came to me, I made the shot. That’s what I saw. It felt good.

“Everybody was asking me, ‘did you get it off?’ And I was like, ‘yeah, I think so,’ but it was so close, you never know.

The Boston Celtics are the 1st team in NBA history to play in Game 7s in both the Conference Semifinals & Conference Finals in consecutive seasons (Image: @TheHoopCentral)

“I’m happy we won. Whatever it takes. We got our backs against the wall.”

Jaylen Brown scored 26 points and 10 rebounds while Jayson Tatum scored 31 points, producing 11 rebounds and five assists.

“It gives you a supreme boost in confidence,” stated Brown. “It doesn’t get too much worse than being down 0-3. We feel like we’ve been to hell and back.

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“We feel like we can face any adversity that gets thrown at us in the duration of the game or the duration of the season or in the post-season.”

The final game of the series between Boston Celtics and Miami Heats happens on Monday (01:30 WAT Tuesday) in Boston.

Whoever wins will face the Denver Nuggets in the NBA finals, which start on Thursday (01:30 BST Friday).