After coming close to the feat, they finally cracked. The Boston Celtics failed to make the most incredible comeback in NBA history by losing Monday, May 29, in the seventh game of the Eastern Conference final, against the Miami Heat (103-84).
The Massachusetts franchise won’t be the first in North American basketball league history to win a playoff series after losing the first three games, something 150 teams before it also failed to achieve. The disillusion is all the greater since this fatal defeat took place at home, and that it deprives the Celtics of a place in the final.
It is therefore the Heat players who will challenge, from 1er June, the Denver Nuggets, already qualified for several days, for the final coronation. After having squandered their three victories in advance, the Floridians showed great strength of character and took their revenge compared to last season when the Celtics had beaten them in seven games to reach the final lost against the Golden State Warriors.
Decisive Caleb Martin
If star Jimmy Butler finished the game with 28 points on the clock, it was Caleb Martin who made a strong impression in Miami with 26 points including several important baskets, a nice four of six three-pointers and ten rebounds.
On the side of the Celtics who quickly ran after the score without ever being able to return (22-15 at the end of the first quarter), Jayson Tatum was limited to 14 points.
Unhappy finalist in 2020 in the Orlando bubble against the Los Angeles Lakers, the Heat will try this year to win a fourth league title against the Nuggets, neophytes at this level of competition, who unceremoniously dismissed these same Lakers. After also leading 3 to 0, Nikola Jokic’s teammates avoided unnecessary scares by winning in the fourth game. They will host the first match of a final which should offer spectacle and suspense.
