Miami (AP) – After being down 3-0 against the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals, the Boston Celtics have won three in a row, evening the series 3-3. The Celtics used a last-second buzzer-beater to grab a 104-103 victory over the Heat, forcing Game 7.
The Celtics had the lead at the end of the first quarter 34-29 and were able to hold on to that lead at halftime (57-53).
The Heat grabbed an 83-82 lead four minutes into the fourth quarter. A basket by Celtics’ Jaylen Brown and six total foul shots had the Celtics back on top 90-83. With less than four minutes remaining, Boston had increased their lead to 98-88.
Jimmy Butler scored three foul shots and a three-point shot cutting Boston’s lead to 101-96. Butler drew another foul and cut the Celtics’ lead to 101-100 with under one minute remaining. Marcus Smart made one of his two free throw attempts for the Cetlics to give them a 102-100 lead.
Al Horford fouled Butler with just four seconds remaining. Boston challenged the play and officials awarded Butler three foul shots instead of two, the original call on the court. Butler made all three giving Miami the 103-102 lead.
With just two seconds remaining, Smart attempted the game-winning shot and missed, but a rebound by Derrick White and a buzzer-beater layup kept Boston’s season alive.
FIRST 3-0 COMEBACK?… The Boston Celtics have joined the the 2003 Portland Trail Blazers, 1994 Denver Nuggets and 1951 New York Knicks in tying a series after being down 3-0. Can Boston be the first to complete the comeback?
UP NEXT… Game 7 will be held in Boston on Monday, May 29. Tip-off is at 8:30 p.m. Finals begin on June 1.
| Player | Minutes Played | Points | Rebounds | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Al Horford | 31 | 4 | 7 | 2 |
| Marcus Smart | 42 | 21 | 4 | 1 |
| Derrick White | 42 | 11 | 4 | 6 |
| Jaylen Brown | 38 | 26 | 10 | 3 |
| Jayson Tatum | 43 | 31 | 11 | 5 |
| Grant Williams | 22 | 1 | 3 | 1 |
| Robert Williams | 17 | 10 | 7 | 0 |
| Player | Minutes Played | Points | Rebounds | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bam Adebayo | 45 | 11 | 13 | 5 |
| Max Strus | 25 | 10 | 1 | 3 |
| Gabe Vincent | 41 | 15 | 4 | 0 |
| Jimmy Butler | 46 | 24 | 11 | 8 |
| Caleb Martin | 40 | 21 | 15 | 1 |
| Duncan Robinson | 20 | 13 | 1 | 2 |
| Kyle Lowry | 18 | 8 | 2 | 3 |
Wallace Writing 
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