The Boston Celtics have officially punched their ticket to the NBA Finals for the 22nd time in franchise history. Despite a hard-fought series from the Miami Heat, it was clear the Celtics were the better team and proved so. The 100-96 victory secured the series win for the Celtics even with a strong comeback attempt from the Heat. A potential go-ahead three-pointer from Jimmy Butler was off the mark and the Celtics secured the win.
Jimmy Butler ALMOST gave Miami the lead here 😱pic.twitter.com/biMO0BTo36
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) May 30, 2022
It took a complete team effort from the Celtics to come out on top. However, there were three players who stood out for their impactful play. Heros are born in the postseason and here are the three guys who wrote the biggest chapters in their story last night.
3 biggest Celtics heroes from thrilling Game 7 victory over Heat to reach 2022 NBA Finals
There likely isn't another player in the NBA who is the heart and soul of their team like Marcus Smart. His high-level defense and intensely competitive nature are infectious to the rest of the roster. It has been clear that he has not been 100% throughout the series but he has continued to make an impact beyond the numbers. Smart spent the bulk of his time guarding Jimmy Butler who also left everything he had on the court. The Oklahoma State product notched two steals and was in the mix for seemingly every key play.
The impact of Marcus Smart went beyond just his defense. He tied with Jaylen Brown for the Celtics' second-leading scorer with 24 points in the game. He also added 9 rebounds and 5 assists. Smart logged 41 minutes in the matchup which tied for a playoff-high for him. The scrappy guard has proven the be a vital part of the Celtics run and put this on display once again in the Game 7 win.
The NBA has been on notice for the high-level talent of Jayson Tatum for several years now. However, it feels as if he has continued his superstar evolution this postseason. He finished Game 7 with 26-points, 10 rebounds, six assists, two blocks, and a steal. The former 3rd overall pick had a complete performance and impacted the game in countless ways. Tatum played 46 total minutes and also was an efficient 4 for 7 on three-point attempts.
The Duke product deserves a ton of credit for his improvement defensively. At the midway point of the season, things were not going well for the Celtics. Sitting with a record below .500 and out of the playoff picture, it was clear the team needed to make changes. This is what has led to their defensive renaissance and altered the direction of their season. Boston's connectivity on defense is their best trait as a team and the biggest reason for their postseason success. This is not possible if the team's superstar does not buy in and Jayson Tatum absolutely has.
It was clear how much this Game 7 victory meant to Al Horford following the game as this will be his first trip to the NBA Finals. He played an NBA-record 141 playoff games before making this a reality. The 35-year-old has had an impressive career revival in Boston this season. He is a perfect complimentary player who does his job at a high level. Throughout the postseason Horford has averaged 11.9 points, 9.6 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 1.6 blocks per game. He also averaged 43.2% on three-point attempts and led the series in blocks and rebounds.
Al Horford let it all out after reaching his first NBA Finals 🙏 pic.twitter.com/POyjJv7FcK
— ESPN (@espn) May 30, 2022
In Game 7, Horford tallied five points, 14 rebounds, three assists, two blocks, and a steal. They may not be the most eye-popping numbers but his impact was felt greatly. He logged 44 minutes in the matchup and also had a momentum-shifting block on Max Strus. His ability to do the little things and play a winning brand of basketball has been essential to Boston's success.
Al Horford IS HERE TO WIN 😤🚫 pic.twitter.com/28N2R1hab6
— Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) May 30, 2022
In an era where star power runs the NBA, the Celtics have somewhat of a throwback team dynamic. Each player has grown into a star in their role and the results are evident. Guys like Grant Williams, Robert Williams, and Derrick White deserve a ton of credit for playing within themselves at an incredibly high level. This type of connected team effort has been impressive to watch and clear why it has translated to team success.
The matchup with the Warriors is difficult for any team, but the Celtics should be going into the series confidently. The high-level defense the Celtics will bring gives them the best shot of any team to take down the loaded offense of Golden State. Expect Boston to stick to what got them here and continue their dynamic defensive effort.
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