Getty Image / Adam Glanzman
After digging themselves a 3-0 hole in the Eastern Conference Finals against the Miami Heat, The Boston Celtics fought all the way back to tie it the series, 3-3. And, basically everyone picked the Celtics to win game 7 at home.
Yeah, about that. The Miami Heat pummeled the Boston Celtics, 103, and led for nearly the entire game, stunning the crowd in Boston and NBA fans alike.
It started off incredibly poorly for the Celtics, as superstar Jayson Tatum turned his ankle in the first few minutes of the game.
A closer look on the Jayson Tatum injury that occurred on the first possession of the game: #NBA pic.twitter.com/s6Vis88Kua
— Owen Kidd (@OKiddVT) May 30, 2023
And, it’s impossible to say who would have won the game if Tatum stayed healthy, but the Heat absolutely took advantage of the good fortune and completely dominated the Celtics. Caleb Martin was tremendous. He had 28 points on 11-16 shooting, and was tremendous.
Caleb Martin SHINES as the @MiamiHEAT win Game 7 on the road!
26 PTS (Playoff career high)
11-16 FG
10 REB#NBAFinals presented by @YouTubeTV Game 1:
Thursday, 6/1 at 8:30 PM ET on ABC pic.twitter.com/leZLxechIp— NBA (@NBA) May 30, 2023
But, the Celtics were downright awful. They were a putrid 9-42 from three point range, Jaylen Brown had 8 turnovers, and overall, they were pathetic.
The game was the talk of the NBA world. The memes were out, too.
Congratulations to Miami Heat owners Micky Arison and Nick Arison, Heat President and my former Coach Pat Riley, Coach Erik Spoelstra, Jimmy Butler and the entire Miami Heat team for advancing to the NBA Finals!
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) May 30, 2023
Celtics fans get to watch the first ever Bob Cousy & Larry Bird trophies go to the Miami Heat pic.twitter.com/8fW6uIdRag
— Ricky B. (@MrRickySpanish) May 30, 2023
What a miraculous run by the Heat. Beating a 1-seed and then withstanding a strong comeback by the 2-seed in the East Finals. Their toughest challenge is up next but no matter the result I’m amazed by Miami to be in this position to have a chance to win it all.
— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) May 30, 2023
yeah history is cool but the celtics forcing a game 7 after being down 3-0 only to get destroyed by miami role players in said game 7 at home was always probably the funniest outcome
— Molly Morrison (@mollyhannahm) May 30, 2023
the celtics can still win this if mike pence has the courage
— Michael (@_FleerUltra) May 30, 2023
Playoff Jimmy after the Heat almost blew a 3-0 lead to the Celtics pic.twitter.com/tb9eM2LjBg
— Josiah Johnson (@KingJosiah54) May 30, 2023
Ime Udoka watching the Celtics downfall pic.twitter.com/y7axem2m8X
— Buttcrack Sports (@ButtCrackSports) May 30, 2023
Game 1 of the Finals between the Heat and Nuggets is on Thursday in Denver.