Tag: 2023 Eastern Conference Finals

How the Celtics (mostly) beat the Heat before Derrick White’s miracle shot

The Boston Celtics East finals series with the Miami Heat has become one of the more memorable playoff series in recent years with the team poised to make a historic comeback.

The Boston Celtics East finals series with the Miami Heat has become one of the more memorable playoff series in recent years. Boston fell behind 3-0 in the series as the Heat dominated, leaving the Celtics struggling on both ends.

However, the Celtics made significant improvements. Star wings Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown stepped up and the entire rotation found its rhythm. One key factor has been the strategic use of Robert Williams III, who has helped Boston considerably. The Celtics also forced Miami’s interior defensive threat, Bam Adebayo, to leave the paint, resulting in easier layups and dunks.

Additionally, Boston has exploited Miami’s use of help defense and double teams, capitalizing on opportunities provided by their role players.

To hear a fine-grain analysis of the improbable Game 6 win, check out the clip put together by the Hoops Digest YouTube channel embedded above.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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The Celtics can’t get complacent in Game 7 vs. the Heat

The Boston Celtics stared down a win-or-go-home Game 6 loss to the Miami Heat in the 2023 Eastern Conference finals with only three seconds left on the clock, trailing by a point, and did not blink.

The Boston Celtics stared down a win-or-go-home Game 6 loss to the Miami Heat in the 2023 Eastern Conference finals with only three seconds left on the clock. They trailed by a point, but did not blink. The play designed by Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla had star forward Jaylen Brown setting a back screen for veteran guard Marcus Smart, who then set a flare for Brown.

The Heat’s defense anticipated a post-entry pass to Brown, which allowed Smart to get free on the left wing. Despite Smart’s missed 3-point attempt, Boston guard Derrick White managed a buzzer-beating putback with 0.2 seconds left, sealing a dramatic victory for the Celtics.

This win made the Celtics the fourth team in NBA history to force a Game 7 after trailing 3-0 in a series. The question is whether the Celtics can make history and complete the series comeback or will they fail as the 150 teams before them did.

Take a look at the clip put together by the folks behind the D Flow Hoops YouTube channel that dissects the end of Game 6 with an eye to what might be coming down the pike in Game 7.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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On how Joe Mazzulla helped galvanize the Boston Celtics for an improbable Game 6 win

Mazzulla took responsibility for the team’s early struggles and rallied the players.

The Miami Heat made a strategic decision not to guard Boston Celtics guard Derrick White as time expired at the end of Game 6 of the 2023 Eastern Conference semifinals.

White made them pay. He crash the basket as a 3-point shot from Marcus Smart caromed off the rim in a miss that could have ended the Celtics season. His rebound and tip in kept the Celtics alive for at least one more game.

For ESPN’s Tim Legler, the victory should be credited not only to White’s surreal buzzer-beater but also to Boston head coach Joe Mazzulla, whose outstanding job on the sidelines helped make that shot possible in the first place.

The analyst noted how the Celtics coach took responsibility for the team’s early struggles and rallied the players, leading them to three consecutive wins and the opportunity to make NBA history with a Game 7 win.

To hear more of Legler’s analysis of Mazzulla’s job in Game 6 from a recent episode of “Sports Center,” take a look at the clip embedded above.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Grant Williams on his reaction to Derrick White’s miraculous Game 6 buzzer-beater vs. Heat

“Wherever D-White was, I ran to him,” said Williams of the stunning play that saved Boston’s season.

When the shot bounced off the rim in the fading seconds of Game 6 of the 2023 East finals vs. the Miami Heat, reserve Boston Celtics forward Grant Williams was thinking what many of the Celtics faithful were thinking.

“I was like, ‘Oh, no!,'” Williams told The Athletic’s Jay King. “And then I look up and (Derrick) White was a miracle.”

D-White’s buzzer-beating tip-in will go down as one of the all-time great sports moments in history, and its potential impact on Boston’s title aspirations could put it at or close to the top when all is said and done. But for a few seconds after the shot went through the hoop, there was confusion whether it counted.

“I didn’t run to Derrick because I didn’t want to get hyped and then the next thing you know we’re disappointed,” explained the former Tennessee standout.

“And then I just looked, looked up at the jumbotron, waiting for (the replay) to pull up, and then it showed that it got out of his hands and the red (light to signal the end of the game) goes afterward,” Williams added.

“And wherever D-White was, I ran to him,” finished the Charlotte native, recounting what, more or less the team did too in that ebullient moment.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Not even white hot Heat can kill the Boston Cockroaches

This is a compliment — trust us.

In a thrilling Game 6 Eastern Conference finals matchup between the Boston Celtics and the Miami Heat, the Celtics showcased impressive resilience and their considerable determination to secure an improbable victory against the Heat on Saturday night.

Despite struggling with their 3-point shooting throughout the win-or-go-home game, the Celtics fought hard and played exceptional defense to keep themselves in the game. Miami’s Jimmy Butler had a subpar performance for most of the game but scored 10 crucial points in the final minutes, only to have his efforts go in vain due to a miracle tip-in by Boston’s Derrick White.

The Celtics, dubbed the “Boston Cockroaches” by ESPN’s Tim McMahon on a recent episode of the “Hoops Collective” podcast due to their ability to survive against all odds, defied expectations once again.

To hear more of McMahon’s six-legged analogy for Boston, check out the clip embedded above.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Jaylen Brown talks Boston’s Game 6 win to the ‘Inside the NBA’ crew postgame

The Boston Celtics’ last-second win over the Miami Heat in Game 6 of the 2023 East finals was an instant classic.

The Boston Celtics’ last-second win over the Miami Heat in Game 6 of the 2023 East finals was an instant classic for Celtics fans — and a nightmare for fans of the Heat.

It was a game that had unexpected twists and turns in the final moments. Among them was a foul on a 3-point attempt, three made free throws off a challenged play that would have let Miami tie the game with two shots before it was clear Jimmy Butler was behind the arc when fouled, a missed trey by Marcus Smart and a timely tip-in by Derrick White.

Postgame, Brown spoke with the TNT broadcasting crew. He admitted the team didn’t play as well as it would have liked toward the end of the game, allowing Miami to make a comeback.

Talking about intensity and not letting up, and how trying not to lose can sometimes lead to defeat, Brown had plenty to say to Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal, Ernie Johnson and Kenny Smith postgame.

Check out the clip embedded above to catch Brown’s interview.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Celtics Lab 198: Boston beats the odds again, turns garbage to gold to force Game 7

A miraculous tip-in won the game for the Celtics and put Boston in a position to be the first team in the history of the NBA to overcome a 0-3 series deficit.

Once, a wise man told the fans of the Boston Celtics that anything was possible. And in Game 6 of the 2023 Eastern Conference finals as the Celtics could have let their title aspirations and their season slip through their fingers as Jimmy Butler made free throws to put the Miami Heat up 1 with just 3 seconds left, Boston’s Derrick White remembered that fact.

A miraculous tip-in won the game for the Celtics and put Boston in a position to be the first team in the history of the NBA to overcome a 0-3 series deficit on their way to punching a ticket to face the Denver Nuggets in the 2023 NBA Finals and another chance at winning Banner 18.

They will do it on Monday at home, playing for history on their home court of TD Garden. The hosts of the CLNS Media “Celtics Lab” podcast sat down postgame to talk over a memory that will live on in Celtics lore for the ages.

As well as what they expect to see in the best thing the NBA playoffs has to offer — a Game 7.

The Celtics Lab podcast is brought to you by Fan Duel and Better Help.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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WATCH: Derrick White forces Game 7 with epic shot at the buzzer

Check out Derrick White’s heroic buzzer beater from a Boston Celtics Game 6 victory in the Eastern Conference finals.

The Boston Celtics comeback against the Miami Heat is still alive thanks to a heroic shot by Derrick White. With just moments remaining in Game 6 of the 2023 Eastern Conference finals, White rebounded a missed Marcus Smart 3-pointer, laying the ball in as time expired. It won the Celtics the game and extended the series to a dramatic Game 7.

Boston once trailed 0-3 in the series. Even forcing a sixth game in those circumstances is a rarity in NBA history. And with the game on the line, the Celtics looked to be in command. Jimmy Butler had other plans, lifting the Heat to a one basket lead with just three seconds remaining. Timeout Boston.

Marcus Smart got a good look at a 3-pointer out of the timeout, but it didn’t connect. Instead, it rattled around the rim some. As others boxed out, Derrick White made a read on the ball, flying in for the rebound and laying it in without hesitation. With just tenths of a second remaining, White’s shot put the Celtics back in the lead, securing a victory.

Revisit Derrick White’s heroic shot in Game 6 of the 2023 Eastern Conference finals below, courtesy of the NBA.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Derrick White saves Boston at the buzzer: Three takeaways from a Game 6 miracle for the Celtics

Derrick White came up with a basket at the buzzer to secure a Game 6 win in Miami and force a Game 7 Monday night in Boston.

The Boston Celtics have forced an improbable Game 7 in the Eastern Conference finals after a 104-103 Game 6 win against the Miami Heat. Down one point on the final play, Derrick White put back a missed Marcus Smart 3-pointer with just a few tenths of a second remaining to lift the Celtics past the Heat and ensure a Game 7. Once down 0-3 in the series, Boston now has an opportunity to punch a ticket to the NBA Finals with a win on their home court Monday night.

It wasn’t the prettiest win. Boston coughed up 12 turnovers. Their rotations on the perimeter were too slow. As a team, the Celtics shot just 20% from deep. Still, with Derrick White’s heroic shot and a solid defensive effort around the rim, Boston was able to secure a season-saving Game 6 victory. Rookie head coach Joe Mazzulla has led his team back from the absolute brink, with a chance to make NBA history.

Boston will host its second consecutive Game 7. In the previous series, the Celtics vanquished the Philadelphia 76ers 112-88 behind a record 51 points from Jayson Tatum. Now, Boston will once again need to perform in the clutch to advance the season. Here’s your recap for a 104-103 Celtics miracle win in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals.

PHOTOS-Celtics at Heat: Boston survives Miami 104-103 with miracle Derrick White make

Let’s take a look at some of the best moments captured in images in Game 6 of the East Finals between the Heat and Celtics.

The Boston Celtics showed up with the sort of urgency and intensity one would expect from a top-seeded team facing playoff elimination in Game 6 of their East finals series with the Miami Heat. Miami returned the favor, battling down from several double-digit deficits, but as the game seemed over with Jimmy Butler hitting free throws to put the Heat up with a lead and just 3 seconds remaining saw Derrick White (11 points)  miraculously put in a missed 3 from Marcus Smart (21 points).

A huge game from Jayson Tatum (31 points, 11 rebounds, 5 assists) despite 8-of-21 from the floor and 0-of-8 from 3 made the lead-up to that moment, along with a big game from Jaylen Brown (26 points, 10 boards, 2 steals) with help from Robert Williams III (10 points, 7 rebounds).

Let’s take a look at some of the best moments captured in images in Game 6 of the East Finals between the Heat and Celtics.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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