Boston—Jimmy Butler played a starring role as the Miami Heat advanced to the NBA Finals by routing Boston 103-84 on Monday, denying the Celtics a historic comeback after trailing the playoff series 3-0.
Butler had 28 points, seven rebounds and six assists while Caleb Martin added 26 points and 10 rebounds to spark Miami, which will visit Denver on Thursday to begin the best-of-seven championship final.
“We stayed together as a group,” Butler said. “We talked about going to get a tough one on the road and we did just that.Miami coach Erik Spoelstra said he never doubted his resilient squad could win game seven. The Nuggets, into the NBA Finals for the first time, swept the Lakers in the Western Conference final.
Spoelstra said last year’s loss had weighed on the team. “They made us get better. We thought about it all season long,” he said.“They give me so much confidence to hoop at a high level,” he said. “They’re the reason we’re here. I know how good a team we are and we made it happen.”Tatum, who finished with 14 points on 5-of-13 shooting, turned his left ankle landing awkwardly after a baseline jumper in the opening seconds. He grimaced often and took only one shot in the first 17 minutes.
Caleb Martin sank a baseline jumper to put Miami ahead 76-66 entering the fourth. Martin sank a three-pointer to ignite a 7-0 Miami run to open the fourth quarter for an 83-66 edge.The Celtics went nearly four minutes without scoring and never again threatened, finishing a woeful 9-of-42 from three-point range.
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