Boston ADVANCE to Eastern Conference Finals
Photo: SportsCenter
BOSTON — After trailing 3-2, the Celtics beat the odds and earned their spot in the Eastern Conference Finals where they will face the Miami Heat. It was a riveting 109-81 victory over the defending champion Milwaukee Bucks. Star player Jayson Tatum scored 23 pts, Grant Williams 27 pts, and Jaylen Brown had 19 pts. Marcus Smart added 11 pts, 10 assists, and seven rebounds. Williams stole the show as he hit seven three 3-pointers tying the record for most in game 7 in league history.
Not only was the Boston offense making vital shots, but their defense held two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo to scoring just 25 pts on 10/26 shooting. The momentum took off just before the first half ended, the Bucks had a 37- 32 lead, and Udoka called a timeout. Almost immediately after the timeout, Williams nailed a corner three over Lopez, and Tatum scored the next possession reclaiming the lead. With under two minutes before half-time, Smart stole the ball from Antetokounmpo, who drew a shooting foul on half-court sending Smart to the line. Smart’s three free throws rewarded Boston with a five-point lead at halftime 48-43.
Photo: ESPN
It only got worse for the Bucks after half-time as the Celtics kept up their momentum and forced the Bucks to call a timeout as they led by 12 after two minutes elapsed (59-47). As the game unraveled, the Celtics had 61 pts, with 37 of them from both star players Tatum and Brown. Williams continued making clutch 3-pointers putting Boston up 16 pts, 76-60 with two minutes remaining in the third. The Bucks fought back and cut the lead to 12, but the Celtics quickly answered back with yet another 3-pointer, this time from Derrick White, making it 79-64.
After a competitive fourth quarter, it was Boston who was on top with 109 pts. Phew! This exhilarating series has come to an end and we’re practically out of breath. While Buck’s offense was depleted in game 7, it was a great match-up but it’s Boston who will battle the Miami Heat in this year’s Eastern Conference Finals.
