On Monday night, the Boston Celtics will host Game 7 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Miami Heat, and if they win, they would set a new record in NBA history.
Injury Update for Boston Celtics – Miami Heat
When down in a playoff series by three games or more, no NBA club has ever come back to win. However, with three straight wins in this best-of-seven series, the second-seeded Celtics have a real shot at advancing to the NBA Finals.
On Saturday night, the Celtics were three seconds away from losing the series on the road before Derrick White’s dramatic tip-in with no time remaining.
The action has now shifted to Boston, where the NBA Finals will be played between the winner of Monday’s game and the Denver Nuggets.
Celtics player Jayson Tatum stated, “We’re all aware it’s not time to celebrate.” “We got absolutely nothing done. We triumphed in spectacular fashion in a crucial game. We’re pleased with our performance and our ability to solve the problem.
However, there is still a long way to go. We need to be prepared to face a talented, well-coached club on Monday (Miami). It hasn’t ended yet.”
The New York Knicks (lost to the Rochester Royals in the 1951 NBA Finals), the Denver Nuggets (lost to the Utah Jazz in the 1994 second round), and the Portland Trail Blazers (lost to the Dallas Mavericks in the 2003 first round) are the only three teams to force a Game 7 after going behind 3-0. All three of those squads lost Game 7 away from home.
When Jimmy Butler hit three free throws for Miami with 3.0 seconds left in Game 3, the Heat had a chance to win the series. The Heat were about to celebrate when White inbounded the ball, spotted no defender in his immediate vicinity, and banked in Marcus Smart’s missed shot at the buzzer.
After scoring 15 of his 24 points in the fourth quarter on Saturday while shooting just 5 of 21 from the field, Butler will be looking for a more consistent performance.
Ultimately, “I just missed shots,” Butler admitted. “I have to get to it. Keep pounding the guy who’s wide open. Keep up the pressure… To each their own opinions. It’s all going to work out fine.”
As a No. 8 seed, Miami has a shot at joining the 1999 New York Knicks as the only teams to ever advance to the NBA Finals.
However, the greater historical significance lies with the Celtics, who appeared poised to end their season after getting blown out 128-102 in Game 3.
The old adage about taking it one game at a time didn’t hold water in the aftermath, but Boston can now complete its miraculous comeback.
Last year’s Eastern Conference Finals between the Heat and Celtics also went to Game 7. Boston beat Miami 100-96.
Jaylen Brown, a star for the Celtics, spoke on the team’s decision to keep fighting when they might have easily given up. “But no, that’s not the way we planned to expire,” they said.
In a similar vein, Boston didn’t seal the deal on Game 6 until the very last second.
We have proven to be a hardy bunch. White emphasized that the group supports one another and advocates for one another. But we still have work to do. Game 7 is going to be a challenge, but we have to find a way to win.
Miami, meanwhile, needs to get its head in the right place after letting a 3-0 lead slip away.
It’s a race to four. Heat center Bam Adebayo stated, “We knew this series wouldn’t be easy.” “I know this must come as a surprise, but we’re actually in a tight race with the Boston Celtics.
Malcolm Brogdon, a guard for the Boston Celtics, sat out Game 6 with a right forearm injury and is questionable to return on Monday. Gabe Vincent, a guard with the Heat, is doubtful with a left ankle strain.
Injury report Celtics:
| PLAYER | INJURY |
STATUS
|
| Danilo Gallinari | Knee |
Probable for start of season
|
| Malcolm Brogdon | Forearm |
Probable for start of season
|
Injury report Heat:
| PLAYER | INJURY |
STATUS
|
| Gabe Vincent | Ankle |
Probable for start of season
|
| Victor Oladipo | Knee |
Expected to be out until at least Nov 1
|
| Tyler Herro | Hand |
Probable for start of season
|
