Boston Celtics players were thrilled that they won Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Miami Heat on a game-winning tip-in at the buzzer by Derrick White. With 3.0 seconds left in regulation, Marcus Smart missed a contested 3-pointer, but White crashed the boards, tipped the ball in, and saved the Celtics from NBA playoff elimination.
“I’ll tell you one thing, man, if you don’t know who D-White is, you know who he is now,” Smart said. “That dude has been phenomenal for us this whole year. Just playing the way that we knew he could play when we picked him up. And it’s been refreshing for us. It’s been a joy to watch and a joy to be on the court with him.”
Celtics stars Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum surprisingly didn’t touch the ball on the final play of Game 6. However, neither All-Star cared.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Derrick White, Boston Celtics & Miami Heat Updates
“It all happened so fast,” Brown said. “I couldn’t really tell. Smart shot it and I thought it was good. And then Derrick White, like a flash of lightning, just came out of nowhere and saved the day, man. It was just an incredible play.”
Added Tatum: “I’m still in disbelief. That s*** was crazy. But I’m glad we got another chance, another opportunity. It’s far from over. Still an uphill battle. But it feels good to give yourself another chance. Another opportunity.”
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Derrick White, Boston Celtics & Miami Heat Updates
The Celtics are one win away from becoming the first team in NBA history to win a postseason series after trailing 3-0.
“We’re just happy we won,” White said. “However we got to get it done, we got it done. And now it’s on to Game 7. … It’s going to be a little crazy. My phone’s already blowing up. But [I’ll] get home tomorrow [and] play with Hendrix. I’m sure he won’t look at me any differently. So, that’ll be cool.”
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