The Miami Heat are one step away from the NBA Finals after securing a 128-102 win over the Boston Celtics in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals. The Heat earned their eighth straight victory in the playoffs, thanks to career-high performances from Gabe Vincent with 29 points and Duncan Robinson with 22. Caleb Martin scored 18 and Jimmy Butler finished with 16, while Bam Adebayo and Max Strus added 13 and 10 points, respectively. Jayson Tatum scored 14 and Jaylen Brown added 12 for the Celtics, who had no answer for Miami’s dominance throughout the game. After winning the first three games of the series, Miami has one more chance in Game 4 to close it off and seal their place in the NBA Finals.
Miami Heat’s coach, Erik Spoelstra, said he was fully aware the game would be tough. But his expectations were wrong, as it was a Heat standout performance right from the start. The team pulled off a frantic rally to reach the playoffs and is now one win away from competing in the NBA Finals. Spoelstra praised his team’s solid, mature, and professional approach, but he reminded his players that they still have to finish the job in Game 4. The Miami Heat are now one of the NBA’s most unpredictable teams, barely making the playoff cut and now sweeping the Boston Celtics, the second seed in the East.
The Heat’s remarkable feat against the Celtics came in the Eastern Conference finals, making them the favorite if they proceed to the NBA Finals. The Western Conference finals games will come to a close today, with the Denver Nuggets leading the series 3-0 against the Los Angeles Lakers. The NBA Finals are set to start on June 1, marking several days without games if both conference finals games conclude in sweeps.
Since 1957, no season has seen both conference finals end in a sweep. Miami’s 3-0 series lead came as a surprise to many since they had struggled to get into the playoffs. The Heat were less than three minutes away from being eliminated in the play-in tournament and secured their position in the playoffs after beating top-seeded Milwaukee in five games and fifth-seeded New York in six.
The Heat’s win against the Celtics was so dominant that it left Boston in shambles and the team’s fans disappointed. Marcus Smart’s three-point play on the opening possession of the second half pushed Boston to within 61-49. However, Miami responded with a 28-7 run that led to a 33-point lead at 89-56, which basically sealed the deal. Boston emptied their bench in the final quarter as it became apparent that a comeback wasn’t possible.
Miami’s rare feat caught the attention of basketball analysts and fans alike, making it one of the most astonishing NBA playoff runs. If Miami seals their playoffs with a win in Game 4 against the Celtics, they will become the NBA Finals’ favorites. The Heat’s resilience and determination throughout the playoffs, particularly in Game 3, should give them the confidence they need to make it to the NBA Finals and possibly make history by winning it all.
