The Boston Celtics are heading back to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2010 after beating the Miami Heat on the road 100-96 in Game 7 Sunday night. Jayson Tatum leads the way with 26 points as the Celtics move on to play the Golden State Warriors for the 2022 championship, beginning with Game 1 Thursday in San Francisco.
The Celtics led wire-to-wire, and responded every time the Heat went on a run. Miami goes on a late run and cuts the deficit to two points, but manages to hang on for the win. The Celtics defeated Miami on the road for the third straight game. With the win, Ime Udoka becomes the first rookie head coach in NBA history to win multiple Game 7s; Boston beat the Bucks 109-81 in Game 7 earlier in the East semis.
The Celtics snapped an 0-4 drought in the Eastern Conference finals series as they win the East for the first time since 2010. They also win a Game 7 on the road after going 0-4 since accomplishing the feat in the 1974 Finals. Boston improves to 6-0 following a loss this postseason, including 3-0 after losses to the Heat in this series. It’s also now 13-1 following its past 13 losses dating back to the regular season. Al Horford, who had played in 140 career playoff games — the most ever by a player without an NBA Finals appearance — finally puts that streak to rest and finishes with five points and 14 rebounds in the win.