Boston Celtics 104 vs 103 Miami Heat summary: stats and highlights | NBA Playoffs Game 6
The Boston Celtics bid to make history and a second straight NBA Finals is still alive after a last second win from Miami on Saturday night. Jayson Tatum led the C’s with 31 points but it took a Derrick White buzzer-beating tip in to force a seventh and decisive game back in Boston on Monday night.
C’s stars come out firing
The Celtics went into Miami having won two straight games knowing they have had their way with the Heat in Dade County over the last season and a half. They had won four of the last five matchups at Kaseya Center, but none were as dramatic as what we witnessed in Game 6.
Derrick White got his third start of the series, and even since he joined the starting five things have started to turn around for the Celtics. White’s impact would be felt much more a little later down the road, but in the opening quarter it was the Celtics duo who came out swinging. Boston jumped out of the gate taking control of the game thanks to quick starts from Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown who ended the game with 26.
Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo, however, did not come out as you would expect two stars playing a must win matchup at home to play. Despite their stars’ struggles the Heat battled back from an early double digit lead to close the gap to four going into the half time break thanks to some fantastic play from Gabe Vincent and Caleb Martin.
Vincent, Martin carry Heat to 4th quarter
Vincent missed Game 5 with a sprained ankle, but returned to a starting five that featured Martin and both of them played like the primary scorers in the Heat’s biggest game of the season. Vincent ended the game with 15 and Martin had 21 after scoring 12 in the first quarter.
Boston’s strength has been their three point shooting all season long, but they shot just 20% from downtown. After a brilliant 25 point first half, Tatum cooled off and didn’t have another basket until late in the fourth quarter. He ended the game with 31 points, but he and the Celtics let Miami get back into the game in the final quarter.
The Celtics lead was seven going into a final quarter that was filled with runs from both teams. Miami took just their second lead of the game with an 11-3 run to start the fourth, but that was immediately countered with an 8-0 run and the Celtics looked like they were going to run away with it.
White the buzzer beating hero
Tatum came to life late, and put Boston up 10 in the final five minutes, but Jimmy Butler came to life and brought Miami storming back as the Heat made a 15-4 run to take the lead with three seconds left in the game after Al Horford sent Jimmy Butler to the line for three free throws. He hit all three to finish the game with 24 points and put the Heat on the brink of the Finals.
After a timeout the Celtics inbounded the ball on their offensive half, from the left sideline. Derrick White inbounded, looked for Marcus Smart who jacked up a quick turn around three that rattled around and out but White came sprinting up the baseline for the miraculous tip in as time expired to send the series back to Boston for Game 7.
There have only been three teams that have pushed a series to Game 7 after falling behind 0-3. None of those teams won the decisive game, but none of those teams were at home. On Monday night, Boston will have a chance to make history infant of their home fans. Tip off from TD Garden is set for 8:30.
Just incase there was any doubt. The basket was good. Derrick White scored 11 points in Game 6, and the last bucket was the biggest shot of his life.
The Celtics know the job isn't over. Game 7 in Boston is going to be a sight to see. Monday night can not come quick enough.
This tip in will go down in history as one of the greatest shots, not just in Celtics history, but in playoff history. How White crashed the boards, got the rebound and put it back up before the buzzer sounded still seems impossible no matter how many times you watch it. If the Celtics go on to win Game 7 and the Finals, White won't be paying for drinks in Boston for the rest of his life.
Butler ended the game with 24 points, but it took him too long to find his groove. For a moment it looked like he did enough to seal the game, but Derrick White had other ideas.
The Boston lead crept up to 10 late in the fourth quarter, but Jimmy Butler and the Heat came storming back to eventually take the lead again.
Smart was last year's Defensive Player of the Year, but this year he has hit some big shots especially in the last couple of games with the Celtics facing elimination.
Tatum had just 6 points in the second half after scoring 25 in the first but this one put the Celitcs up by 8 and it seemed like Boston was going to run away with it.
Horford had just 4 points in the Game 6 win, but his impact on the defensive end was massive.
The fourth quarter was full of runs. Miami got the first run fourth and Butler put his side in the lead for the first time since the opening bucket of the game.
Let's run you down all the fourth quarter highlights. Duncan Robinson almost single handily led the comeback charge for the Heat in the fourth quarter. With Jimmy having an off night, someone had to step up. It was Vincent and Martin in the first three quarters. Robinson took over in the fourth.
The C's shot 71% in the paint in the first half, but got away from that strategy in the second half despite this early effort from Brown.
Robert Williams had 10 points and 7 rebounds, but he was at his best when defending Jimmy Butler. Those long arms kept Butler in check all game long and they also came in handy on this one handed alley oop slam.
Tatum took over in the second quarter, scoring 16 of his 25 first half points as he flipped the switch and became unstoppable before the break.
Marcus Smart had a dreadful first three games, but he has been key in the comeback. He had 21 points and came up with some big shots late in the Game 6 win.
Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum came out swinging on the road, The Heat stars, Bam Adebayo and Jimmy Butler did not. The Boston duo started hot and built up a double digit lead early on.
You knew Tatum was going to come up big in the elimination game after being the savior for his team in the previous four KO games. He had 9 in the first quarter.
Derrick White's energy has been maybe the most important part of the Celtics comeback, and it was never more evident than in Game 6.
This is a shot that you will see for decade to come. Derrick White with the shot of his life to force a Game 7!!!
THE BOSTON CELTICS WIN IT AT THE BUZZER!! WE ARE HEADED TO GAME 7 BACK IN BOSTON!!!
Smart missed the three ball off the inbound and White was there for the offensive board for the put back and the win!!!!
BUTLER HITS ALL THREE!!!! THE HEAT LEAD WITH 3 TO GO ON THE GAME CLOCK!!!
Butler ties it up with the second FT!!!
Butler hits the first FT
After the refs review Butler's foot was behind the line so he's going to the line to shoot three!
Horford fouled Butler in the corner and Butler's going to the line with a chance to tie it up!!! Timeout Celtics with 2 second remaining in regualation!
Smart made just one of two FTs with 16.2 on the clock! Miami has a chance to tie or win it!
Bam came up with the block on Tatum but Robinson missed the three ball to take the lead!!! Foul on Robinson with 16.2 second left.
Butler with the drive and he goes into the body of Horford, gets the bucket off the glass and one!!! FT is good with 53 to go in the fourth!
Brown to the line after getting fouled on the put back attempt and he hits one of two FTs with 1:01 to go.
Martin got the offensive board off the missed FT and Robinson missed a wide open three ball to tie the game!
Butler to the line after the foul on Tatum and he hits one of two from the line with 1:31 to go in Game 6!
Under 2:00 to go!!!
Butler pops a three ball in the corner and this thing isn't over just yet!!!
Vincent dashes to the rack and finishes with the lay up under Horford's arm. Under 2:30 to go.
Huge offensive rebound for Tatum off the missed floater by White. He steps to the line and hits both FTs. He's got 31 on the night!
Butler was fouled by Williams and he hits one of two FTs with 3:25 to go in the fourth.
Butler goes to the line after the foul on White, and he hits both FTs with 3:51 to go in the game.
Tatum missed the three ball but Brown was there with the offensive board and the Celtics call a timeout with 4:10 to go in Game 6!
Smart puts it on the deck lays it up off the glass and gets the foul!!! FT is good after the foul on Robinson!
White pulls up from the top of the key and he hits another huge three ball!!!
Robinson gets the baseline lay up off the assist from Adebayo!
Tatum slashes to the rack and he gets a backdoor lay up off the Smart dish.
Robinson drills a catch and shoot three ball with the clock expiring!
Tatum at the line after the foul on Lowry and he hits both FTs out of the timeout. Those are his first points of the second half. 8-0 run for the C's after losing the lead
We are headed to a timeout with under 7:00 to go here from Miami!
HORFORD WITH A MONSTER BLOCK ON ADEBAYO WHO WAS GOING UP FROM THE TWO HANDED SLAM!!!
The block leads to FTs for Brown on the other end and he hits two of two form the line.
Brown gets the bucket after the goaltend and the foul on Adebayo, and throw on a technical on the Heat and the Celtics come up with a 4 point possession!
Robinson missed the lay up, but Butler was there with the put back!!!! Miami take the lead with under 8:00 to go and the Heat on a 15-3 run!!
Robinson drills the three ball after Tatum is called for a carry! We have a one point game from Miami!!!
The call stands, but there will be no flagrant foul with under 9:00 to go in the game.
Butler hit the shot down low, but the refs call an offensive foul for putting his shoulder into the chin of White. They will review to see if it was a flagrant foul.
Lowry gets the roll on the floater in the lane, and he knows that Brown has to be very careful on the defensive end with 5 fouls.
White with a huge three ball from the top of the key, and he has been so instrumental in this series especially from DT!
Dump off from Lowry to Robinson who was sneaking back door for the lay in! 8-0 run for Miami!
Miami go to Adebayo quickly and he hits the turn around jump hook off the glass.
We are headed to the fourth quarter with the Boston Celtics leading by 7.
Smart had a fantastic third quarter, he's got 17 on the night. Brown had 8 in the quarter while Tatum went silent.
Miami scored just 19 points and were dreadful from the field in the third quarter. Butler is still stuck on 9 points just like Adebayo. They are a combined 5/29 on the night.
R. Williams sends Lowry to the line where he hits both FTs.
Lowry pulls the trigger off the dribble and strokes the long two ball!
G. Williams to the line after the foul on Vincent and he hits one of two FTs with 1:09 to go in the third quarter.
Martin hits another gutsy shot on the spot up jumper from downtown!
Brown at the line and he hits both FTs after the foul on Strus. Boston have their largest advantage of the game!
Williams gets the bucket and the foul!! FT is good to complete the three point play and that's a 7-0 run for Boston!
Brown pull up from the top of the key and he hits the deep two! He's got 17 on the night!
The foul occured before the inbound so that sends Strus to the line where he misses the FT and Strus missed his mid range jumper after inbound.
Williams was called for a foul on the inbound, but the refs take a look to see if the ball was inbounds or not.
Brown with a tough jump hook surrounded by Heat defenders in the paint.
Adebayo to the line and he hits both FTs after the Horford foul and he hits both FTs.
Martin's deep two was reviewed and ruled a three so that's technically a three point play for Miami.
Smart drills a three ball and he's at 17 for the night!!! He was 3/14 from DT to start the series, he's 11/16 since.
Martin drills a deep two ball and he continues to have to carry the Heat in the absence of Jimmy Butler.
Horford with an easy slam in transition after White hit him on the long out let.
Smart gets the turn around fader in the lane to go out of the timeout and he's got 14.
Boston wants a timeout with 7:24 to go in the third quarter!
Vincent hits the reverse on the inbound and he have a one possession game.
Martin to the line after the foul on G. Williams and he gets one of two to fall.
Strus at the line after the foul on Smart and he hits both FTs. Miami are in the bonus with over 9:00 to go in the third!
Smart was left all alone in the corner and he punishes the Heat with a three ball!
Brown just picked up his fourth foul with almost 10 to go in the third quarter!
The call is overturned, but Brown wasn't called for the foul as the refs rule no foul occured on either side. The Basket stands and the Heat get to keep their timeout.
Martin was called for a foul down low on an and 1 for Brown, but Miami wants to challenge because they think Brown got away with a hook. If it is an offensive foul, it would Brown's 4th!
Strus missed the three ball but Bam was there crashing the boards for the put back.
WE ARE BACK IN PLAY FOR THE SECOND HALF OF ACTION IN GAME 6 FROM MIAMI!
Tatum is not just scoring he doing a little bit of everything tonight. He's got 4 rebounds, and two assists including this one to R. Williams.
Tatum had 16 of his 25 points in the second quarter as the Celtics lead grew to as much as 11.
Vincent came back to the hardwood after sitting out last game with a sprained ankle. He has 11 points and could play a big part in this second half if Jimmy starts turning it on.
Smart has been having a rough series, but over the last two games he has proved to be a difference maker. He's got. 9 points and two three balls.
Martin had 12 after the first quarter as Bam and Jimmy Butler struggled to find their groove on the offenisive side.
Brown had 10 in the first quarter which would make you think that elbow injury he suffered early in the series is starting to heal.
Tatum is averaing over 30 a game when the C's are facing elimination. He has 25 already through two quarters
When Boston has had success in this series it is largely in part due to their ability to create turnovers. Horford got his only two points of the half on this jam off the turnovers.
Caleb Martin got the start tonight and wasted no time getting to the bucket early. He has been the most consistent scorer for the Heat in this series.
WE ARE HEADED TO HALFTIME AND IT COULDN'T BE MUCH CLOSER FROM MIAMI!!!
The Celtics stars carried them to an early 11 point lead, as Tatum had 16 of his 25 in the second quarter. Jaylen Brown had 11 after 10 in the first quarter.
They gave up a 12-3 run that allowed Miami to get back into the game heading into the halftime break. Butler has 9 and Adebayo has just 5 but Martin has 14 and Vincent has 11
Martin sends Tatum to the line where he makes both FTs. He's got 25 already!
Martin at the line after the foul on G. Williams and he hits both FTs with 1:28 to go in the half.
Butler goes to the line after him and Tatum collided at the bucket. Butler hits both FTs and he's got 9 points and MIA are on a 10-3 run.
Butler gets to the cup and finishes with the two handed slam. He was 1/8 from the field before the.
R. Williams at the line and he hits one of two FTs after the foul on Martin.
Vincent with another three ball out of the timeout and we are under 3:00 to go in the first half from Miami.
Tatum gets the roll off the back iron with the floater in the lane and he has been sensational in this second quarter! That's 14 for Tatum and we will head to a timeout with under 3:30 to go in the half.
Strus with a huge three from the top of the key out of the timeout!
Tatum driving right down main street again for the lay up and he's making it look easy!! Boston have their largest lead of the night!
Timeout Heat with 4:15 to go in the second quarter.
R. Williams throws down the alley oop with one hand off the lob from Tatum!
Tatum puts his head down and gets right to the rack for the finger roll! That's 10 in the quarter for Tatum.
Vincent wiggles to the iron out of the timeout and hits the double clutch lay in on the right side.
Tatum gets another fade away to go over Butler, this time from the baseline and he's got 8 points in the quarter and 17 on the night.
Timeout Miami with 6:31 to go in the half.
Tatum hits the fade away over Butler and he's got 6 points on the night!
Adebayo at the line after the foul on Brown and he hits one of two FTs after fighting on the boards.
Tatum goes to the line after the timeout and hits both FTs following the foul on Butler.
Timeout Celtics with 9:04 to go in the second quarter!
Tatum back at the line after the foul on Robinson and he hits both FTs.
Vincent with the three ball and he's on the board for the first time since missing Game 5 with an ankle injury!
Smart with a pull up, and he gets the bucket and the foul! FT is good to complete the three point play.
Robinson off the bench and on the board with a three ball after the drive and kick from Adebayo!
Brown goes to the line after the foul on Lowry and he hits one of two FTs.
The first quarter comes to a close and it's the Celtics who have been ahead all night long despite Caleb Martin's 12 early points. Butler and Straus both have 5.
Brown has 10 for the Celitcs, Tatum has 9 and Smart has a couple threes.
Lowry follows up the miss from Adebayo and puts it back up and in for the second chance points.
White hits his first three ball of the evening after shooting 6/8 from DT last game in Boston.
Martin step to the perimeter and pulls the trigger from downtown for the three ball! He's got 12 on the night already!
Tatum to the line after the foul on Zeller and he hits both FTs.
Martin answers back with a three ball from the wing and he's off to a fantastic start with 9 already.
Smart popped out to the perimeter and Tatum hit him for the open three ball! He's got a couple on the night already.
Zeller at the line out of the timeout and he hits one of two FTs.
Timeout Celtics with 2:09 to go in the first quarter.
Tatum pulls up from the top of the key and he hits the mid range jumper.
Brown missed the lay up and R. Williams was three for the rebound and the put back!
Brown with the dump off to Williams after the double team came and it led to a wide open slam for the big man.
Butler at the line again and he hits both FTs after the foul on R. Williams.
Adebayo receives the entry pass and hits the jump hook on the turn around.
Brown pulls up from long range and he drills the long two with a foot on the line.
Sturs gets to the basket and lays it up and in.
Brown sidesteps into the paint and hits the off balance floater in the lane.
Tatum with the drive from the top of the key and scoop off the glass.
Butler says I see your three FTs and raise you a three ball for his first points of the game. Both stars are now on the board.
Tatum at the line out of the timeout and he hits all three FTs after getting fouled on the triple try by Strus.
White looks down low to a wide open Horford who slams it with no one even in the paint for Miami.
Timeout Heat with under 6 to go in the first quarter.
Martin with six straight points for the Heat, and what an opening he's having after getting his first start of the series.
Brown pulls up from the FT line and he ties the game up after his third FG of the first quarter.
Martin gets back to the rack and lays it in for another easy deuce.
Smart drills a three ball from the wing! He came on in Game 5 from DT and looks to be on target tonight.
Martin streaks to the rack after Boston turned it over for the first time tonight
Brown pulls up fro the elbow and drills the mid range jumper. He's had some big first quarters this post season, will tonight be another one of those nights?
Bam spots up from a step inside the arc and drills the deep two as Horford stepped off.
Strus gets him and the Heat on the board early on and Miami needs their role players to step up tonight.
Brown with the rebound under his own basket and he takes it coast to coast for the lay in.
GAME 6 IS UNDERWAY FROM MIAMI!!!
Will Boston stay alive or will the Heat punch their Finals ticket.
Heat Starters
The Heat get a big boost for Game 6 with Gabe Vincent coming back to the starting five. His ankle is far from fully healed, but tonight is a must win game in Miami and he will be available for Erik Spoelstra. Let’s see how that affects the Heat offense. Will it open up some space for Jimmy Butler and Caleb Martin who is getting his first start of the series.
Home away from home?
The Celtics have won four of their last five games in Miami. The only game they lost was Game 3, but they bounced back in Game 4. Tonight they need to keep that good run alive if they want to keep their season alive.
Celtics Starters
Derrick White has revolutionized this series since Game 4, and has earned the start tonight in Game 6 from Miami. The C’s will still rely on Tatum and Jaylen Brown who needs is due for a big game in this series, but Horford and Smart will need to be just as impactful. While they may not be as capable on the offensive end, their defense and intensity brings Boston another element to the Celtics starting five that they will need from the very beginning.
Vincent back for Miami
Gabe Vincent has been one of the most reliable scorers for the Heat this series, but he was forced to miss last with after spraining his ankle in the second half of Game 4. His absence was noticeable as Jimmy Butler struggled without having his second scoring option on the floor with him. The Heat are already short handed with Tyler Herro and Victor Oladipo sidelined with injuries, but the good news is Gabe Vincent is expected to play tonight in Miami.
White hot
Derrick White started the first two games of this series on the bench. When Joe Mazzulla decided to start him in Game 3 from Boston, things didn’t go much better, in fact they went worse.He got another chance to start in Game 4, and carried the Celtics though the first quarter scoring 11 points, snagging a couple boards and igniting a fire that wasn’t seen before in his team during this series. White was even better last game, scoring 11 points in the first quarter and finishing the night with 24 points including six triple tries. Mazzulla will have him in the starting five without a doubt in another must win game tonight in South Beach.
Will Butler stay silent?
We have admit it. Jimmy Butler hasn’t been Playoff Jimmy in the last few games. In Game 3 he had just 16 points but he didn’t need to be his usual fantastic self in a blowout at Kaseya Center. In the last two games, he hasn’t been as decisive as he was in the opening two games and it might be because of something the Cetilcs are doing, or not doing. Since mixing it up with Al Horford and Grant Williams, Boston has barley spoken a word to Butler and that seems to have diluted his last couple performances.
Tatum time again tonight?
Jayson Tatum has been an elimination game specialist throughout this postseason, and Game 5 in Boston was no different. He shot 50%, scored 21 points dished 11 assists and grabbed 8 boards in the wire to wire win. In four KO games this season he is averaging 31 points, 10 rebounds and 7.2 rebounds and tonight the Celtics will need him more than ever in Miami against a Heat team that know going back to New England could mean the end of them.
Game 5 recap
Boston went back home for Game 5, needing a win and they delivered in wire-to-wire fashion. Jayson Tatum got off to a hot start in the opening quarter scoring 12 of his 21 points and the Celtics were on fire from downtown out of the gate. Boston built the lead to 15 at the end of the first 12 minutes and they kept the cushion for the rest of the game. Four of the Celtics starting five scored 20 or more points including Derrick White who led all scorers with 24 as Jimmy Butler was held to just 14 points on a night in which the Heat turned the ball over 16 times.
We are live from Miami
Hello everyone and welcome to Dade County where the Boston Celtics come into town with momentum on their side after winning the last two games while staring down elimination. The Heat meanwhile have let control of the series slip out of their fingertips, and will be wanting to avoid a Game 7 back in Boston at all costs.
Technically it’s not a must win for the Heat, but it’s about as close as you can get as the team with a 3-2 lead. Tonight Miami will be relying on Jimmy Butler to lead them to the promise land for the first time since 2020 while Jayson Tatum and the C’s are looking to extend the series for a seventh and final game back in New England.
Celtics vs. Heat Game 6
The Miami Heat are still a win away from the NBA Finals, but have squandered the last two chances to close out the Boston Celtics, and now return home knowing a los tonight could put them on the brink of elimination and on the wrong side of history. AS English will be with you all night providing live coverage, stats, highlights and analysis of Game 6 from Kaseya Arena.