History is still in play for the Celtics. Boston led by 10 points with less than four minutes to play in Game 6 against Miami Heat. Everything seemed to be heading to force the seventh… Until the wind changed direction.
In the blink of an eye, Miami reduced the deficit to a single possession, replicating what happened last year in this same tie between the two teams.
Marcus Smart took two free throws and missed one with 16.2 seconds remaining, the Celtics led by one. That left the door open for the Miami Heat to tie or win.
That’s when the chaos started.
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The Celtics challenge that gave Jimmy Butler free throws was key
With the clock below 10 seconds, Butler had the ball at the top and matched up with Al Horford. Instead of attacking the basket to try to tie the guard, he looked for a decisive shot to end the green hopes.
Butler went to the corner and attempted a stepback 3-pointer, but the Dominican fouled. The refs originally ruled that the Miami player was attempting a 2-point shot, but the Celtics coach, Joe Mazzulla, asked for the challenge.
After review, not only was Horford called for a foul, but the officials ruled that Butler was behind the 3-point line, allowing him to shoot three free throws to win the game.
Celtics challenge this foul called on Al Horford #BOSvsMIA pic.twitter.com/ARrg6PdX2G
— Rate the Refs App (@Rate_the_Refs) May 28, 2023
Butler made all three free throws giving Miami a 10-yard lead. 103-102.
A detail that seemed minor at the time: there were 2.1 seconds left before the Boston challenge. After review sNine-tenths of a second was added, giving the Celtics 3.0 seconds to try to regain the lead.
When Jimmy Butler was fouled on his 3-point attempt, there were 2.1 seconds remaining.
After review, the officials added 0.9 to the clock, and that ended up changing everything for the Heat and Celtics… pic.twitter.com/pnw39fVtjZ
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) May 28, 2023
Derrick White’s buzzer-beater who forced the seventh game
The Celtics came out of timeout with White getting the ball out. Max Strus stepped in front, but his focus was on the play, not the server, which left White alone.
Boston tried to give the ball to Jayson Tatum to no avail due to Jimmy Butler’s defense. The second option on the play, Jaylen Brown, couldn’t shake off Adebayo either, leaving Smart as the most logical exit.
Smart hit a 3-pointer that didn’t go in. White, who was not marked by anyone, went straight for the rebound and miraculously got the shot in before time expired.
DERRICK WHITE FOR THE WIN.
ALL ANGLES.#TissotBuzzerBeater to force Game 7! pic.twitter.com/HOKXLh3YoU— NBA (@NBA) May 28, 2023
Turns out, the Celtics needed every one of those extra 0.9 seconds.
AS CLOSE AT IT GETS ????
DERRICK WHITE WINS GAME 6 AT THE BUZZER.#TissotBuzzerBeater pic.twitter.com/88gjVeUAEz
— NBA (@NBA) May 28, 2023
What Derrick White, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown said about the winning shot
Brown credited White for his action, saying with a smile: “D-White was like a bolt of lightning, came out of nowhere and saved the day.”
White, on the other hand, modestly tried to manage his moment of fame.
“It’s going to be a bit crazy. My phone is already exploding“, said. “But I’ll get home tomorrow, I’ll play with (his son) Hendrix. I’m sure he won’t look at me any differently, so it’s okay.”.
Tatum couldn’t even process what had just occurred.
“I’m still, like, in disbelief. That was crazy. But I’m glad we get another chance.”
The Celtics will live to fight another day, hosting the Heat for Game 7 on Monday with history on the line.
The opinions expressed herein do not necessarily represent those of the NBA or its organizations.
2023-05-28 09:42:27
#Derrick #Whites #buzzerbeater #Celtics #forced #Game #chaotic #possessions
