Fans of the Boston Celtics watched Monday night’s Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals hoping to see the Celtics do what their beloved Boston Red Sox did 19 years earlier, coming back from a 3-0 series deficit. But the 2023 Miami Heat were in no mood to play the role of the 2004 New York Yankees.
The Heat routed the Celtics, 103-84 to advance to the NBA Finals against the Denver Nuggets.
Everything seemed to be perfectly lined up for the Celtics. They had the momentum, having beaten the Heat in three straight, including a thrilling Game 6. They had the home-court advantage — and the Boston fans were rabid. At least, they were rabid to start.
By the end of the game, the remaining fans at TD Garden had a decidedly different attitude.
Been that kind of night in Boston. pic.twitter.com/JslfK6GHN2
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) May 30, 2023
So, what happened? Several things.
The Heat had a great game. Jimmy Butler led the way with 28 points, on way to winning the Larry Bird Trophy for the series MVP.
Nikola Jokić was given the Magic Johnson Trophy in Los Angeles. Now, Jimmy Butler gets the Larry Bird Trophy in Boston. pic.twitter.com/VFEoF7iQLR
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) May 30, 2023
Caleb Martin complemented Butler beautifully, scoring 26 points.
For the Celtics, meanwhile, it was a trainwreck.
Jayson Tatum got hurt in the game’s opening seconds. And while he still logged 42 minutes and had a double-double, he was clearly not at peak form. Tatum finished the game with 14 points, shooting 5-for-13 from the field and 1-for-4 on three-pointers.
Jaylen Brown and Marcus Smart led the Celtics in scoring for the night, finishing with 19 and 18, respectively. But that was more about volume shooting than anything. Brown was 8-for-23 from the field and 1-for-9 on threes, while Smart was 4-for-10 from the field and 1-for-6 on threes.
And the three-point shooting was perhaps the greatest difference in the game. For the night, the Celtics attempted 42 three-point shots while the Heat attempted 28. Despite that, Miami made more three-pointers, nailing 14 while Boston only hit 9.
Boston’s performance was roundly criticized after the game.
Barkley: "They're so undisciplined and un-fundamentally sound. They win games strictly on talent. They don't even run an offense."
Shaq: "When they went 0-10 to start the game…0-12, that should have told them, 'hey settle it down. Let's get the pacing game back in our favor.'" pic.twitter.com/1dHUBgPDEf
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) May 30, 2023
"When my team goes 0-10 in the first quarter, you know what I'm telling everybody? 'Don't shoot another three. Shoot another three and I'm gonna punch you in your face.'" pic.twitter.com/tJ5rLv7bK0
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) May 30, 2023
the celtics final huddle of the game:
pic.twitter.com/Z3VrkBOvSF— Jeffery Perkins (@JefferyxBball) May 30, 2023
https://twitter.com/ShisuiTheDonn__/status/1663375800794480640
https://twitter.com/tracedontmiss/status/1663370886580142081
Tatum vs LeBron
Brown vs AD
Celtics vs Lakers.
Battle for the 18th in CANCUN.
Be there!pic.twitter.com/x5O932O2qA— NBA Memes (@NBAMemes) May 30, 2023
