The Boston Celtics reached the NBA Finals for the first time in 12 years as they held off a determined Miami Heat for a 100-96 game-seven win.
Boston failed in their last five play-off runs and almost did so again as Jimmy butler missed a late three-point attempt which would have given Miami the lead.
The Celtics will face the Warriors in the finals.
This is a typical Celtics win, according to coach Ime Udoka.
We battled through a lot of adversity this year. We are a resilient group and tonight seemed to signify our season. We can never seem to shut the door and have to grind it out.
The Celtics led by 17 at one point in the second quarter, but a fourth-quarter flurry helped Miami reduce the advantage.
Marcus Smart made two free throws to seal the finals place for Boston after the other team missed a three-pointer.
Jaylen Brown had 24 points, while the series' most Valuable Player was Jayson Tatum with 26 points, 10 rebound and six assists.
The road we took to get here wasn't a lot of people's opinion. It worked out because we took the toughest route.
The Warriors will play the Boston Celtics in the first game of the finals in San Francisco on Thursday.
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