The Boston Celtics, who beat the Miami Heat 100-96 in Game 7 on Sunday night, return to the NBA Final for the first time since 2010. Jason Tatum is 26 points ahead as the Celtics move on to play the Golden State Warriors for the 2022 Championship, which starts Thursday’s 1 game in San Francisco.
The Celtics guided wire-to-wire and responded each time the heat ran. Miami ran late and reduced the deficit to two points, but were able to continue for the win. Celtic beat Miami in the third match in a row. With the win, Ime Utoka became the first new head coach to win multiple Games 7 in NBA history; Earlier in the day, Boston defeated Bucks 109-81 in Game 7 of the Eastern Semifinals.
The Celtics beat the drought 0-4 in the final of the Eastern Conference, winning the East for the first time since 2010. After going 0-4 in the 1974 final, they won the 7th game on the road. The series ended 3-0 after a defeat to the Heat, and Boston advanced to 6-0 following a defeat this season. It is now 13-1 following 13 defeats in the regular season. Al Harford, who played in 140 career playoff games – a player without a look at the NBA Finals – finally rested that streak and finished with five points and 14 rebounds in the win.
