The Celtics Survive 100-96 In Game 7 Against The Heat To Advance To The NBA Finals Vs. Warriors

 

    It probably took a few years off of our lives but the Celtics ultimately got the job done tonight in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals vs. the Heat. The C's outlasted the No. 1 seed in the East 100-96 at FTX Arena to reach their 22nd NBA Finals (where they are 17-4 all-time) in franchise history. Boston will face Golden State beginning with Game 1 on Thursday (9, ABC) in Oakland. Boston led from start to finish but had to sweat it out as Miami cut it to a two-point lead late and Heat superstar small forward Jimmy Butler (game-high 35 points, 9 rebounds) actually had a chance to put them ahead for the first time but he missed a wide open three-pointer. C's small forward Jayson Tatum (26 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals) earned the inaugural edition of the Eastern Conference Finals MVP award that truthfully should have gone to Butler who played all 48 minutes this evening. 

    The Celts improved to 6-0 following losses this postseason and they finished 3-1 at Miami in this bizarre series. Boston's shooting guard Jaylen Brown (24 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists) was good and point guard Marcus Smart (24 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals) had nice numbers but he was 8-for-22 from the field including missing five straight shots late in regulation when the Celtics seemed to be trying their hardest to give the game away. Center Al Horford grabbed a game-high 14 rebounds and blocked two shots while he also put a painful record to bed: he had played in 141 NBA playoff games without ever reaching an NBA Finals which was the most ever for any player in league history. Boston head coach Ime Udoka pretty much kept it limited to a seven-man rotation while power forward Grant Williams (11 points, 6 rebounds) and backup point guard Derrick White (8 points) were both solid in the memorable victory.

    Besides Butler, Heat center Bam Adebayo (25 points, 11 rebounds) played his second best game of the series and point guard Kyle Lowry (15 points, 7 rebounds, 2 steals) was about as good as he could be in 2022. Boston's defense held Miami under 100 points in three of the last four games in the Eastern Conference Finals which were all wins for the Celts. Nobody else on the Heat scored in double figures as shooting guard Max Strus (8 points, 8 rebounds) was alright and backup shooting guard Victor Oladipo added nine points and five rebounds off the bench. Props to Miami's guard Tyler Herro who briefly returned for seven scoreless minutes but he never appeared again because he was still severely hobbled by his groin injury.  

    On the road in Game 7 (and coming off of a brutal choke job in Game 6 at TD Garden on Friday), Boston could not have scripted a better start as they were up 32-17 after the first quarter (the biggest lead in Game 7 history following the 1st quarter). The C's led by as much as 17 points but the Heat started to wake up in the second quarter (32-23 Miami) to cut Boston's advantage to only six points (55-49) at halftime. The teams basically played to a standstill in the third quarter (27-26 Celtics) which was fine for the visitors. Fittingly, this ugly series ended with one last gross quarter: Miami outscored Boston 21-18 in the fourth quarter. It should not have been this close as Boston hit five three-pointers (11-6), three more free throws (19-16), grabbed seven more rebounds (51-44) including three more offensive boards (10-7), dished out six more assists (22-16) and they scored seven more fast break points (20-13) than Miami. 

    This has been called the Celtics' revenge tour since they have knocked out three teams in a row that eliminated them in the past three postseasons: Brooklyn (who beat them in last year's first round), Milwaukee (who beat them in the 2019 2nd round) and now Miami (who beat them in the 2020 Eastern Conference Finals held in the bubble). Playing in their sixth NBA Finals in the last eight seasons, the Warriors are a whole different animal. They won their last title in 2018 and they missed the playoffs the past two seasons (due to injuries) so that proud group is trying to prove that their dynasty is still alive. It should be a hell of a series; I hate to put too much stock into mostly meaningless regular season meetings but Boston has typically given Golden State plenty of problems in recent years. Then again, nobody on the Celtics has ever appeared in the NBA Finals while the Warriors still have the Splash Brothers-point guard Stephen Curry and shooting guard Klay Thompson)-along with do-everything power forward Draymond Green. This is Boston's first NBA Finals appearance since 2010 and they are looking for their first title since 2008. Along with home court, Golden State will be well rested too since they have been off since last Thursday when they sent overmatched Dallas home with a gentleman's sweep (5 games) in the Western Conference Finals. Go Celtics! 

The Celtics Locked Down The Heat 93-80 To Take A 3-2 Series Lead In The Eastern Conference Finals

 

    It was far from a work of art-the first half might have set playoff basketball back about 20 years-but few Celtics players, coaches, owners or fans will be complaining as Boston held off Miami 93-80 tonight in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals at FTX Arena. The C's took a 3-2 series lead and now they are one game away from their first NBA Finals appearance in 12 years as they improved to 6-2 on the road this postseason. Game 6 is on Friday (8:30, ESPN) at TD Garden which is one hell of a way to kick off Memorial Day weekend in Boston. The Celtics' star duo of shooting guard Jaylen Brown (game-high 25 points) and small forward Jayson Tatum (22 points, 12 rebounds, 9 assists) were the two best players on the court as they willed their club to a place where those guys not to mention all of their teammates have never been before.

    After a very slow start for everybody (Boston was down 19-17 after the painful first quarter), the Celts turned a five-point halftime deficit (42-37) into a 11-point advantage going into the fourth quarter as they doubled up the Heat (32-16). The Celtics closed it out with a solid fourth quarter (24-22)-at least defensively-as the hobbled Heat have few answers while Boston became the first team to win consecutive games in this clunky series. Through five games, the Celts have proven to be the far deeper group and this was no exception as power forward Al Horford added 16 points, seven rebounds, five assists and two blocks while center Robert Williams notched 10 rebounds and three blocks. Guard Derrick White (14 points, 5 assists, 2 steals) of all people kept the C's afloat in the early going with some more great minutes off the bench as Marcus Smart picked up two quick fouls. 

    Heat shooting guard Tyler Herro remains out with a groin injury while small forward Jimmy Butler (13 points on 4-of-18 shooting, 6 rebounds, 2 steals) is a shell of usual imposing self. Miami's center Bam Adebayo (18 points, 10 rebounds) had a double double but he doesn't shoot 3-pointers and his offensive game is too limited to have him be the leading scorer on a championship contender. The other three starters for the Heat-P.J. Tucker, Kyle Lowry and Max Strus-combined for 11 points which is hilariously terrible. I cannot believe that I'm saying this but backup point guard Gabe Vincent (15 points) should start in Game 6 over Lowry (who is a complete mess) and shooting guard Duncan Robinson (11 points) has to start instead of the ice cold and therefore useless Strus. 

    Boston shot 46% from the field while Miami hit a franchise playoff-low 31% of its shots. If you think that's bad (and it really is), the Heat missed 38 three-pointers (7-of-45) which is an amazing number for an NBA team in a pivotal playoff game on its home court. The Celtics hit three more three-pointers and four more free throws (17-13) while also dishing out 10 more assists (24-14) and blocking five more shots (7-2). Boston scored eight more fast break points (13-5) in a contest that was mostly played in the mud but they somehow led by as much as 23 points. Now, the C's have such a wonderful opportunity to put away an inferior opponent on Friday and finally get back to the NBA Finals. Game 6 should be fun since I feel like the Celts have wrestled control away from the Heat (this is their first lead in the series) and Miami can't really do anything to stop them from advancing at this point.

The Eastern Conference Finals Takes Another Wild Turn As Boston Smothers Miami 102-82 In Game 4

 

    After no-showing for much of the contest then rallying like crazy but ultimately losing Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals 109-103 on Saturday night at TD Garden, the Celtics had no choice but to win this evening at home as they faced the Heat who led the series 2-1. One of the only certainties in this postseason is that Boston will bounce back from a loss as they improved to 5-0 after defeats with a lopsided 102-82 victory that evened the series at two games apiece. When I say that Miami never stood a chance, it is the honest truth since they were down 18-1 (!) right at the start. The Heat set a franchise playoff low with 11 points in the first quarter and they trailed by as much as 32 points while their starting lineup combined for 18 points which does not even seem possible. The all-important Game 5 is at FTX Arena in Miami on Wednesday (8:30, ESPN). 

    Boston's lockdown team defense was the main story as they held Miami to 52 points in the first three quarters. Like his team, Celtics superstar small forward Jayson Tatum (game-high 31 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 blocks) responded the right way after an embarrasing 10-point outing in Game 3. Four other Celtics scored at least 12 points led by point guard Payton Pritchard who scored 14 points off the bench, point guard Derrick White (starting for an injured Marcus Smart) added 13 points, eight rebounds, six assists and three steals-his best game as a Celtic-shooting guard Jaylen Brown was ice cold but had 12 points and seven rebounds while center Robert Williams returned from missing Game 3 with 12 points, nine rebounds and two blocks in 19 very impactful minutes. Veteran power forward Al Horford only took two shots but he was a force defensively with a game-high 13 rebounds and a game-high four blocks. 

    For Miami, with shooting guard Tyler Herro (groin) out and their best player small forward Jimmy Butler (6 points, 7 rebounds) clearly not himself, they were lost offensively. Heat center Bam Adebayo was a beast on Saturday with a team-high 31 points and 10 rebounds but then he disappeared once again with only nine points. Point guard Kyle Lowry had just three points while Miami's other two starters-power forward P.J. Tucker and shooting guard Max Strus were both held scoreless. Shooting guard Victor Oladipo was the only guy on the Heat that played well in Game 4 as he had a team-high 23 points and six assists off the bench while New Hampshire native and shooting guard Duncan Robinson (14 points, 2 steals) finally seemed to find his shooting stroke in garbage time and small forward Caleb Martin added 12 points and six rebounds off the bench. 

    Boston shot six percent better from the field than Miami (39%-33%) and more importantly, they attempted nearly three times as many free throws (32-of-38 vs. 8-of-14). The C's owned the glass with 21 more rebounds (60-39) and scored 10 more points in the paint (38-28). It was stunning to see such a proud and tough team like Miami get destroyed like that, then again this has been a postseason full of blowouts in the NBA. I could see a lineup change perhaps for the Heat in Game 5 with either Oladipo or Robinson coming in for Strus. We'll have to see if Smart returns for Boston. It will be the biggest game of the playoffs (thus far) for either club since it would be quite difficult to rally from down 3-2 in this series.

The Celts Ran All Over The Heat 127-102 In Game 2 To Even The Eastern Conference Finals At 1

 

    If not for a historically bad third quarter in Game 1 (where they were outscored 39-14), the Celtics would probably have a 2-0 series lead in the 2022 Eastern Conference Finals vs. the Heat. Tonight in Game 2 at FTX Arena, it wasn't even close as Boston truly wiped the floor with Miami 127-102. The series is now tied 1-1 and Boston improved to 4-0 this postseason following a loss. The C's got off to a fast start by leading 35-24 after the first quarter and 70-45 at halftime (their largest halftime lead in franchise playoff history!). The Heat made a tiny run early in the third quarter but it didn't matter one bit as the teams somehow scored the exact same amount in the final two frames: 26 points in the third quarter and 31 points in the fourth quarter. After they both were out for Game 1, C's point guard Marcus Smart barely missed a triple-double (24 points, playoff career-high 12 assists, 9 rebounds, 3 steals) and center Al Horford (10 points) both returned to stabilize things for the deeper and dare I say a little tougher overall squad?

    Miami's star small forward Jimmy Butler had another very good game (game-high 29 points, 6 rebounds) but he didn't go crazy like Game 1 where he dropped 41 points. It's looking like that type of otherworldly performance is how the Heat are going to win because they just don't have that many legit threats outside of Butler. While Boston's star-small forward Jayson Tatum (team-high 27 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists) and shooting guard Jaylen Brown (24 points, 8 rebounds) combined for 51 points-it was also about power forward Grant Williams (19 points) and point guard Payton Pritchard (10 points, game-high plus-39) who were both really solid off the bench for the visitors. Miami's point guard Kyle Lowry remains out with a strained left hamstring so taking his place is the immortal Gabe Vincent (14 points) who was the only other Heat starter to score in double figures. Miami's All-Star center Bam Adebayo (6 points, 9 rebounds) was a complete no-show for the second straight contest, shooting guard Max Strus (6 points) is a one-trick three-point shooting pony and veteran small forward P.J. Tucker left after 22 minutes and never returned with a left knee contusion. Shooting guard Victor Oladipo (remember him?) had 14 points off the bench and the NBA's Sixth Man of the Year Tyler Herro was held to 11 measly points.

    Boston's defense was on another level than Miami's that is similarly regarded as a great defensive club. The C's were on fire from downtown, as they shot 50% (20-of-40) on three-pointers and held the Heat to 29.4% (10-of-34) in front of their stunned home fans. There weren't a ton of Celtics fans in the building but the real (and quite wealthy) Massholes that did get in made their presence felt like Barstool Sports' Dave Portnoy who sat right next to the Celtics' bench with his lady friend. For the game, Boston shot seven percent (51.2%-44.2%) better from the field, they only missed two free throws (21-for-23) while they handed out seven more assists (28-21), grabbed twice as many steals (8-4) and blocked two more shots (5-3) thanks to Celts center Robert Williams (3 blocks). The Celtics scored 11 more points off turnovers (20-9) than the Heat, had five fewer turnovers (14-9) and they led by as much as 34 points (!) which is a pretty amazing feat on the road against the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference who had captured Game 1 (118-107) by double digits.

    There is little time to rest as they get right back to it on Saturday night (8:30, ABC) in Boston at what should be a lubed up and very loud TD Garden. Between their variety of options on offense not to mention their typical superb defense that showed up in Game 2, the C's have many ways to beat Miami while the Heat seem more limited outside of Butler being the best player on the floor by a wide margin (which is harder to do since he has only hit one 3-pointer in the first two games combined). If Tucker is out, Miami would be down a great defensive player and one of its true heart and soul guys. I'm not predicting anything just yet because I have too much respect for the Heat to bury them but as a Celtics fan, you have to like the position that they are in after picking up this vital road win in Game 2. They are not intimidated by Miami and honestly, why should they be? Boston is the better team and hopefully that is proven out over the course of this series. 

C's Destroyed The Bucks 109-81 In Game 7 To Advance To The Eastern Conference Final Vs. Heat

 

    After a predictable choke job by the Bruins against the Hurricanes in Game 7 of their first round playoff series on Saturday, thankfully the Celtics did the exact opposite as they ran over the Bucks to the tune of 109-81 yesterday afternoon at TD Garden in Game 7 of their second round playoff series. For the second time in three years, Boston advances to the Eastern Conference Final where they will once again meet Miami but at least this time it is not in the bubble. For the second time against Milwaukee in this round, Celts power forward Grant Williams had the game of his life with a game-high (and career-high) 27 points along with seven made three-pointers (another career-high). Bucks superstar power forward Giannis Antetokounmpo was finally bottled up (at least scoring-wise) as he had 25 points, 20 rebounds, nine assists, two steals but also five turnovers. 

    The C's started very slowly as they trailed 26-20 after a rock fight of a first quarter. They woke up in the second quarter and led by a slim five-point margin (48-43) after wily point guard Marcus Smart (11 points, 10 assists, 7 rebounds) drew a shooting foul in the closing seconds on a shot from half-court. He made all three free throws and that propelled his team into an incredible second half. Boston blitzed Milwaukee in the third quarter (31-21) and really opened things up in the fourth quarter (30-17) as they were on fire on three-pointers (22-of-55 for 40%) while the Bucks were ice cold (4-of-33 for 12.1%) from downtown. The Celtics' two stars-small forward Jayson Tatum (23 points, 8 assists, 6 rebounds) and shooting guard Jaylen Brown (19 points, 8 rebounds, 2 steals)-were good not great but they didn't have to be other-worldly with Williams' amazing performance along with contributions from other guys like center Al Horford (10 rebounds, 6 assists) and point guard Payton Pritchard (14 points, 5 rebounds in 17 minutes off the bench). 

    Milwaukee's point guard Jrue Holiday (21 points, 8 assists, 5 rebounds, 2 steals) closed out a very solid series for him with another fine outing although he was 0-for-6 on three pointers. Bucks center Brook Lopez had a double double with 15 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks while backup center Bobby Portis was the only other guy on Milwaukee in double figures with 10 points and six rebounds off the bench. I don't know if he would have made enough of a difference to change the outcome of the series but you can bet that at least if Bucks small forward Khris Middleton had played in Game 7, they would have made it much more competitive. It wasn't a surprise to see Boston win-they were the betting favorite after all on their home court-but to see the defending champions go down in flames was unexpected to say the least. 

    The Celtics led Game 7 by as much as 28 points and they dished out nine more assists than the Bucks (29-20) so you have to say that the better team ultimately won. C's center Robert Williams was technically active for the first time since Game 3 against Milwaukee but he never saw the floor. I believe that if it was a closer game, Celts head coach Ime Udoka at least would have thrown him out there for a few timely minutes. It was a best case scenario for that Williams since now he gets a few more days to get better and they will definitely need him against Heat center Bam Adebayo who is an absolute Celtics killer. Miami is the top seed in the Eastern Conference so they have home court and with their star small forward Jimmy Butler and shooting guard Tyler Herro (the NBA's Sixth Man of the Year this season), they have given Boston fits in recent years. However, after mowing down the Nets and surviving a long battle with the Bucks, now is the perfect time for the Celtics to eliminate the Heat and reach the NBA Finals for the first time since 2010. It should be a hell of a series and there is no rest for the weary as it begins tomorrow night (8:30, ESPN) in Miami with each game coming every other day for the entire series.

Yet Another Bruins Playoff Run Ends Prematurely With A 3-2 Game 7 Loss To The Hurricanes

 

    The more that time goes by, the more we realize that the 2011 Bruins were the anomaly. For the most part, Boston has been a middling franchise when it comes to the postseason. Sure, they can rack up points in the regular season and they make the playoffs almost every single year but what do they actually do when they get there? Usually not all that much. They lost in the 2013 Stanley Cup Final to the superior Blackhawks and they choked on home ice in Game 7 of the 2019 Stanley Cup Final to the Blues but this afternoon was more of the norm as they quietly exited the first round with a 3-2 loss in Game 7 at PNC Arena against the Hurricanes. It was only the fourth time in the last 20 years of the NHL that the home team won every single game in a series and for the sixth time in this series, Carolina scored first. The usual factors that typically doom the B's were omnipresent: a lack of secondary scoring, shaky defense and the inability to get the big save when they really needed it. Now we wait to see if franchise center Patrice Bergeron leaves the team for good either via free agency or gulp retirement. 

    I don't expect the Hurricanes to win the Stanley Cup this summer, they aren't a great team or anything but they were just a little bit hungrier after losing to the Bruins twice in recent postseasons and a little more talented. Boston made it a habit of giving up backbreaking goals late in periods during this series so obviously it continued in Game 7. Carolina caught the Bruins running around a bit with a pretty passing sequence from defenseman Jaccob Slavin to center Max Domi who passed it in front to a wide open left wing Teuvo Teravainen for an easy one-timer/tap-in at 18:36 of the first period. Teravainen's second goal of the playoffs gave the Hurricanes the all-important 1-0 lead. 

    Any thoughts of a good start by the Bruins in the second period were quickly thwarted as Domi made it 2-0 at 3:14 as a shot by defenseman Brady Skjei deflected off center Jordan Staal right to Domi who stuffed it in. It was Domi's first goal of the series as once again, Boston's rookie goaltender Jeremy Swayman (28 saves) playing in his first career Game 7 had little chance to stop it. The B's finally answered a bit as left wing Jake DeBrusk jumped on a loose puck and flipped a shot past Carolina's goaltender Antti Raanta (27 saves) at 5:04. Defenseman Charlie McAvoy and Bergeron registered the assists on DeBrusk's second goal of the postseason. Carolina shortly regained that two-goal lead though as Domi became the unlikely hero with his second goal of the game. He was left uncovered in the slot and he one-timed a pass from Teravainen for a 3-1 Canes lead at 10:33. That was quite a gut punch for the Bruins since just before that, left wing Trent Frederic had hit the post with a shot that would have tied the game. 

    The third period was a typical Bruins losing effort as they got plenty of pressure but couldn't find a goal until it was way too late. With Swayman pulled for an extra skater, they cut it to 3-2 when there was less than 22 seconds left in regulation. Left wing Taylor Hall passed the puck back to McAvoy at the point, his shot was deflected but it went to right wing David Pastrnak who was able to throw the puck into the net for his third goal of the playoffs. There was a big scramble right before time ran out with Raanta appearing to make a save on Bergeron in traffic but the game was lost before then for the B's. Carolina advances to play the winner of Rangers-Penguins in the second round while Boston goes home for the another way too long summer.

  

Boston Holds Serve & Forces Game 7 (Saturday) Thanks To A 5-2 Win In Game 6 At TD Garden

 

    One of the weirdest playoff series in recent NHL history will fittingly conclude with a Game 7 in Raleigh, North Carolina. Boston scored first for the first time in the series and never looked back as they cruised to a 5-2 victory tonight at a fired up TD Garden to even the first round series at three games apiece. If you are keeping score, the home team is 6-0 in the series with Game 7 set for Saturday afternoon (4:30, NESN) back at PNC Center. At this point, it is hard to explain how these two teams have played so differently at home versus on the road for these six contests which have been mostly blowouts (the closest margin of defeat was Game 3 a 4-2 triumph by the B's). 

    After missing Games 3-5, Bruins defenseman Hampus Lindholm returned from a concussion (we think) and had a game-high 24:48 time on ice. Five different B's scored goals and rookie goaltender Jeremy Swayman (23 saves) posted his third win of the series. After a scoreless first period, Boston let their home fans exhale with a goal early in the second period then a key insurance tally late in the frame. Boston's star left wing Brad Marchand opened the scoring with a wicked snap shot 46 seconds into the second. His team-leading fourth goal of the postseason was assisted by BU's Charlie Coyle and Quinnipiac's Connor Clifton. Weymouth's own Coyle doubled the Bruins' lead at 18:04 as the center put in a rebound (his 2nd goal of the playoffs) from right wing David Pastrnak (dropped to the second line) and Marchand on the power play.

    The Hurricanes briefly made it tight as right wing Andrei Svechnikov cut it to 2-1 Bruins with a nasty top shelf wrist shot at 3:24 of the third period. Center Seth Jarvis had the lone assist on Svechnikov's second goal of the series. Boston's depth guys put this one to bed though as center Erik Haula scored the key goal that boosted the Bruins' lead back to two (3-1). He tipped in defenseman Charlie McAvoy's slap pass for his first goal of the playoffs at 7:08. The wheels started to come off for Carolina's goaltender Antti Raanta as he allowed a soft wrister from the blue line by B's defenseman Derek Forbort to elude him and increase Boston's lead to 4-1. Forbort's first goal since November was assisted by left wing Tomas Nosek at 10:43. Five minutes later, Bruins center Curtis Lazar (who has played a sneaky good series) added an empty-netter for his first goal of the postseason. Left wing Nick Foligno and Nosek recorded the helpers on Lazar's well deserved strike. In garbage time, Svechnikov notched a power play goal which came after Carolina's power play had started 0-for-5 in Game 6. 

    So what's going to happen in Game 7, who the hell knows? You figure that we are long overdue for some overtime or at least a one-goal game. Other than that, you have to assume that Boston will make it a little more competitive than their disastrous first three outings in Raleigh in this series (where they were outscored 15-4). I'll take Swayman over Raanta along with the Bruins' big game experience over the Hurricanes' history of choking against them in recent years. Also, if you are looking for another factor that should favor the road team (for once in this wacky series): all the pressure will be on Carolina who you'll remember led this series 2-0 and then 3-2. On paper at least, Saturday promises to be an awesome day for the NHL as there are three Game 7s (also Lightning-Maple Leafs and Oilers-Kings) which should help juice what has felt like a pretty forgettable first round up until this critical juncture.