NBA: Celtics Force Game 7 After Beating Heat

Boston Celtics secured a 104-103 victory against the Miami Heat in Game 6 of NBA’s Eastern Conference finals, forcing a Game 7 after a thrilling contest at the Kaseya Center in Miami, USA.

The Boston Celtics were three seconds away from being eliminated in the Eastern Conference finals when Derrick White inbounded the ball to Marcus Smart. Instead of being a spectator, White ran towards the left corner and with no Miami Heat players around him, headed toward the basket as Smart’s shot went in and out.

White’s instincts put him in perfect position to tip-in the basket just before the buzzer sounded as Boston scored an unlikely 104-103 victory.

DERRICK WHITE SENDS THE EAST FINALS BACK TO BOSTON FOR GAME 7!

HE WINS IT FOR THE CELTICS AT THE BUZZER 🚨#TissotBuzzerBeater | #TimingEmotions pic.twitter.com/ybUb5CT6l1

— NBA (@NBA) May 28, 2023

“It doesn’t do no good to stand in the corner there whether he makes it or not,” White said. “So I was just crashing the glass and it came right to me.”

“I’m just happy we won. Whatever it takes. Our backs are against the wall. I’m just happy we won.”

White’s dramatic basket gave second-seeded Boston its third straight victory to become just the fourth team in NBA history to force a Game 7 after losing the first three games of a playoff series.

🏀 FINAL SCORE 🏀

Derrick White’s #TissotBuzzerBeater carries the @celtics to victory and forces a Game 7!

Tatum: 31 PTS, 12 REB, 5 AST, 2 BLK
Brown: 26 PTS, 2 STL
Smart: 21 PTS, 4 3PM
Butler: 24 PTS, 11 REB, 8 AST

Game 7: Monday, 8:30 PM ET on TNT pic.twitter.com/TIJhP5Ceya

— NBA (@NBA) May 28, 2023

The victory came after Boston blew a 10-point lead with under five minutes remaining. But White’s heroics earned the Celtics a home game against the Heat on Monday as the club improved to 5-0 in elimination games this postseason.

Jayson Tatum registered 31 points, 12 rebounds and 5 assists and Jaylen Brown added 26 points and 10 rebounds for the Celtics. Smart scored 21 points, White had 11 and Robert Williams III added 10 points.

• Read more: NBA: Celtics Beat Heat, Prevents Eastern Finals Sweep

Butler experienced a horrendous 5-of-21 shooting night but scored 15 of his 24 points in the fourth quarter. He also had 11 rebounds and eight assists. Caleb Martin recorded 21 points and 15 rebounds for the Heat.

D’Tigers of Nigeria and Miami Heat point guard Gabe Vincent had 15 points, Duncan Robinson added 13, Bam Adebayo contributed 11 points and 13 rebounds and Max Strus had 10 points.