The Miami Heat were not a one-man show in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Boston Celtics. Jimmy Butler had a big game, but so did Caleb Martin.
While Butler was still Butler, scoring 28 points. Martin was the main offensive weapon for the Heat.
Martin torching the Celtics on Monday night from everywhere on the floor, going 4-for-6 on threes and scoring 26.
"HE'S ON ONE. CALEB MARTIN IS ABSOLUTELY ON FIRE RIGHT HERE. CHA-CHING, BABY."
Caleb Martin channeling his inner-Andrew Toney in Game 7. pic.twitter.com/j61r0FgYwq
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) May 30, 2023
And the Celtics couldn’t answer anything that Martin did.
His performance may have been the difference-maker in Game 7. Meanwhile, the Celtics who at one point had cut the lead to single digits, find themselves on the wrong end of Game 7, after a thrilling Game 6 win and coming back from 3-0 down in the series.
They struggled all night and just when it looked like they were about to make a serious run, the Heat somehow made a shot to quiet the crowd — again.
NBA fans were stunned by Martin and the Heat’s performance.
Caleb Martin looking at the Celtics defense pic.twitter.com/nsjooEKddO
— Josiah Johnson (@KingJosiah54) May 30, 2023
Caleb Martin got a DNP last year in game 7 vs The Celtics, now he’s playing like the best player on the court. Unreal
— KENNY BEECHAM (@KOT4Q) May 30, 2023
Caleb Martin and Jimmy butler rn: pic.twitter.com/YupW7VQs53
— Jai (@MaskUpJai) May 30, 2023
TNT’s Charles Barkley guaranteed a Celtics on victory Monday night prior to the game.
And Charles Barkley GUAR-AN-TEES a Celtics Game 7 win. pic.twitter.com/KF0pHZ7dxs
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) May 30, 2023
Barkley, like many, has to be surprised by what happened.
The Celtics got cooked, and not just by Jimmy Butler. Everyone expected Butler to play well, but no one saw this performance from Caleb Martin coming. No one.