The potential go-ahead 3 is missing with 15 seconds remaining. The shot left Jimmy Butler's hands and was traced by the eyes of the Miami coach. The arcs looked good. It was working perfectly. The coach of the Miami Heat was so emotional that he kicked out his legs in the final moments of the Eastern Conference finals. I thought it was going down, and I thought it would be an incredible storyline for Jimmy to pull up and hit that 3. Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown said, "I was like, man, what the hell." Celtics coach Ime Udoka said that he had been making big shots. Marcus Smart thought that he wouldn't do it again, after watching a clutch shot over him at the end of Game 6. The nearby Heat bench leaped as the ball approached the rim. Two days after playing 47 minutes in Boston, he played 45 minutes in a game. Maybe it was fatigue, maybe it was the sore knee, maybe it was the pressure, but the ball ended up hitting the rim. Is the storyline the one that was dreaming about? The Heat, battered, bruised and frankly undermanned in a physical series, had pulled a magic act to get to Sunday's contest. The past two weeks have been fairly even because of the Heat's mix of guile, timing and anti-inflammatories. In Game 7, Miami was doing it again. The Celtics had built their lead to double figures seven times, and the Heat hadclawed back seven times. The Heat would have taken a one-point lead if the 3-pointer had dropped. The Heat had a puncher's chance, an under-estimation with nothing to lose who can take a risk. The favorite could be knocked out by a perfect swing. The ball could have been driven to the rim and gone for the tie. He had a fast break after grabbing a rebound. One of the league's best finishers around the rim, he is perfect for scoring in traffic. With himself and his team tired and hurting, he went for the haymaker. I missed a shot, but I went for the win. I am taking that shot. My teammates liked the shot that I took. I'm living with it. The miss will sting, but the man is not a man of regrets. A few moments later, the Celtics polished off the 100-96 victory to earn their first trip to the NBA Finals in 12 years with a series against the Golden State Warriors. The other side of the story comes in here. The man came out to stop the other person. The Boston Celtics and Golden State Warriors are going to play for the NBA title. You can watch the action on ABC and the app. Game 1 is on Thursday. At GS.
Game 2: June 5, 8 p.m. ET at GS
Game 3: June 8, 9 p.m. ET at BOS
Game 4: June 10, 9 p.m. ET at BOS
Game 5: June 13, 9 p.m. ET at GS*
Game 6: June 16, 9 p.m. ET at BOS*
Game 7: June 19, 8 p.m. ET at GS*
If necessary.
The Celtics were on the verge of a devastating defeat, blowing a vital series in one of the worst ways imaginable. Al Horford was the one they could have chosen to be in front of the streaking Butler.
Horford did everything right. He got out in front of the other team's player to set himself up to defend against the other team's player on a drive.
Horford, who was playing with a heavy heart after the death of his maternal grandfather, said that it seemed like he was going to go for the shot. He got a good look at it.
Horford is the best defender the Celtics have. Horford has always been in the right spot, and he was the one who shot 29 more times than any other Celtic.
In the series against Horford, he shot 27%. In the East semifinal round, Antetokounmpo made 37% when he faced Horford. Horford stoned Strus on a dunk attempt in a classic example of his ability at age 35.
The math behind the 3-point attempt screamed "bad shot" for the man who isn't a 3-point shooter. He was 4-of-7 on open 3s. The one that felt open was this one. It was wide open for a second.
Jimmy said he was living with his decision to take a 3-pointer in the closing moments of the Heat's loss to the Celtics.
Horford said that the shot was nerve-wracking.
Horford had never been to the Finals in his 15-year career, but it was the 141st playoff game of his career. Maybe that streak would still be alive if he had been a little slower to pivot and rush out.
Horford threw the game ball into the air. Horford was given the Bob Cousy trophy when the Celtics won the East.
Horford and his team were happy for all of the Heat's disappointment, and the latest chapter in what has already been a rough playoff ride.
This journey is not easy. Brooklyn, Milwaukee, and Miami took us to the brink. We did that all season, we switched the page, moved on to the next thing.
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