Originally compiled from: The Ringer
Written by Michael Pina
原标题：The Celtics’ Implausible Comeback Hits NBA History’s Doorstep
In G6, an exciting ending put Boston just one win away from becoming the first team in 150 games to successfully reverse a 3-0 deficit. Can the Celtics beat the Heat and announce their return once and for all? Or is their tank empty?
White's lore could make new NBA history
Somehow, after a thrilling sixth game, the Celtics are still alive. With Derek White scoring that crazy, season-saving, whistle-blowing, and completely decisive game-winning shootout, Game 7 will be held in Boston on Monday night, and long-forgotten history is in jeopardy.
If you feel like that type of shot basically never happens—to win or to throw home—it's because that type of shot really never happens. Background factors aside, the reality is that all those teams that started 3-0 ended up with a 0-150 run in the playoff series, and it's not clear when we'll see that happen again.
It would have seemed as if it didn't take any drama for the Celtics to drag the series into Game Seven. The Celtics took a 10-point lead with less than four minutes left in the game, but in the end they failed in key moments and scored just six points for the remainder of the game. And in the same period, Jimmy Butler, who had been playing averagely, scored 13 points to give the Celtics a fatal blow, who hit three key free throws after trailing by two points in Miami, and then with just three seconds left, poetically avenging the Heat's heartbreaking defeat last year.
The Celtics survived Duncan Robinson's two open three-point shots (Duncan Robinson shot 3-of-4 before these shots, hoping they would bring him to his senses at G7). As a team that lives and dies on three-pointers, Boston also shot 7-of-35 from beyond the three-point line — arguably the worst night of the season — against the Heat's 14-of-30 shooting.
They survived the official challenge and gave Butler the aforementioned third free throw (initially awarded as a two-pointer). They experienced intense mood swings, with Malcolm Brogdon's absence having 15 fewer shots and seven more turnovers than the Heat, and the defensive end allowed the Heat to capture a 37.1 percent second offensive opportunity after a missed shot.
In the end, they also survived Marcus Smart's desperate three-pointer. Smart's three-point shot popped off the basket, jumped out and touched White's fingertips before falling into the Nets. "Sometimes, things just don't go the way you think." Eric Spoelstra said after the game, "You know, it's a shame. ”
G7 Defensive End:
In the long run, the Celtics' survival is far more significant than the dramatic point difference, or the final fight to make playoff history, or Jason Tatum scoring just one goal in the second half. The Celtics also had a poor start to a two-round series in front of their own fans before losing the third game as if they had given up resistance and were on the line. For some reason, six days later, Boston is still alive.
Now we have the finale of this series - G7. The winner advances to the final. The losers left the scene sadly. Every tactical adjustment between the two teams has been completed. The rotation also feels fixed. (The Heat started Kevin Loew with Caleb Martin, who recorded 21 points, four three-pointers and 15 rebounds in Game 6.) The division of labor for blocking and demolition cover is also clear. These basic operations are well known. Both teams are almost as aware of each other's tactics as they are their own.
The outcome of Game Seven will depend on execution, effort, discipline and, of course, shooting. The Celtics will have to realize their room for error when dealing with the Heat with and without cover with the ball, as the Heat's group of role players seems to make them pay every time.
The Celtics have been following through on their defensive changes almost consistently over the past three games, communicating well to keep the Heat's offensive efficiency at 110.3. Boston is burly and physically strong, and they struggle to fight everything in the box. (The Heat shot 14-of-35 in Game 6, their fourth-most inaccurate stat throughout the season — two of which came in the playoffs.) )
In Game 6, when the Heat tried to attack Jaylen Brown to either get his fourth foul or try to dodge the foul, Boston switched defenses early in the final crucial minutes of the third quarter to keep Brown away from Butler or Adebayo. This awareness was especially evident in this game, where Adebayo switched in front of Brown on one side and then blocked him in the transition. But before the Heat could try to gain an advantage, Brown and Lowe swapped places, rearranged the alignment, and eventually stopped the Heat.
G7 offensive end:
Now, ready for a deeper G7 analysis? After staying up all night counting the numbers, I decided to dig deep on the offensive end, both teams needed shots. Tatum and Brown need to use their single-play prowess, cross weaker defenders (or, as Tatum did in the second quarter, repeatedly humiliate Butler, who is a very good and capable defender) and score points or walk to the free throw line.
In Game 6, Butler and Adebayo combined to shoot 9 of 37. If they do this again, there's a good chance the Heat will continue to lose. Adebayo, in particular, struggled with the Heat's loss. Miami led by nine points after his first shot in the third quarter of Game 4, appeared to be in control and ready to complete the sweep, shooting 16-of-38 from the field and 5-of-8 from the free throw line. When asked how to be more efficient in Game Seven, "Throw that damn ball." Adebayo whispered before answering the question, "For me, man, keep shooting the basket I should shoot." I'm confident in myself. So to me, man, it felt like there's a lid on the basket to get in the way, but I had to figure out how to get the basketball into the basket. ”
Game 7 will depend on his abilities, including punishing the Celtics for changing defenses in the low post, forcing the Celtics to assist, and making correct interpretations in the crowd.
The key to this game is to protect the rebounds on the defensive end, and fight for the rebounds on the offensive end to create a second chance, force the opponent and prevent their own mistakes. Mistakes are always made. But who better capitalizes on these mistakes to their advantage?
The Celtics are gaining momentum
If the Celtics win, they will go down in history by reaching two consecutive NBA Finals, becoming the first team to reverse and win the playoffs after trailing 3-0 first in the series. White's whistle-blowing slash will be watched again and again for decades to come. It was like a combination where Larry Bird stole an inside pass from Isaiah Thomas and then somehow found Dennis Johnson to give him a backhand layup.
Iconic, legendary game. But whether the Celtics can win one of the world's most resilient teams in Game 7 remains a big unknown. Miami still has a chance to win this race of the series at TD Garden and bury the sixth game of the final game in the dust. If they did, they would still be one of the most shocking upsets in the history of the divisional finals, reaching the finals as the No. 8 seed despite a 3-0 lead that was once broken.
Both sides believe that their path to victory is bound to be difficult. Both sides are confident in the abilities of their stars. Both sides believe they have what it takes to win. But the Celtics have played three games in a row and could now be the winners of the knockout rounds.
The Celtic momentum is good (if you believe that). It's somewhat hard to believe, but they've somehow managed to position themselves as the team that no one would have thought would have played Game 7, with good reason to believe they can do something that has never happened in the sport.
"We're still in survival mode," Joe Mazura said as he celebrated in the Celtic dressing room after the game, with Tatum's arm resting on his shoulder. "We're still in survival mode."
Let's look forward to this battle of the seven that is destined to go down in history!