Celtics Blow Out Bucks in Game 7, Advance to Eastern Conference Finals
It is often said that anything could happen in Game 7.
After blowing a 14-point fourth-quarter lead in Game 5 at TD Garden in Boston to fall behind in the series 3-2, it was fair to wonder if the Celtics had thrown their season away. But after winning by 13 in Milwaukee in Friday night’s Game 6, the Celtics returned to the Garden in Sunday’s Game 7 looking to advance to their fourth Eastern Conference Finals in the last six seasons.
And that’s exactly what they did.
The Celtics hit an NBA Game 7 record with 22 three-pointers to take down the defending NBA champion Bucks 109-81, earning a date with the Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals.
Jayson Tatum followed up his 45-point game six with another efficient offensive performance. The Celtics star finished with 23 points on 7-for-14 shooting. Boston needed someone to step in when Tatum left the court with his fourth foul in the third quarter.
Scroll to Continue
Enter Grant Williams, a 41% three-point shooter in the regular season, who entered the starting lineup in Robert Williams’s absence and had struggled from the floor in this series.
Williams was due to have a big night and he chose a great time offensively to bounce back. Williams finished with 27 points on 10-for-22 shooting and hit a playoff-best seven threes to help the Celtics pull away in the second half. Williams was the most effective shooter on the floor during the final two frames and was instrumental in helping the Celtics beat the Bucks to reach the conference finals.
Giannis Antetokounmpo finished Game 7 with 25 points, 20 rebounds and nine assists, but struggled in the second half from the floor as the Celtics’ defense swarmed the two-time league MVP. With the Bucks now home, there will be a new NBA champ at the conclusion. The Celtics are still alive and looking to bring another championship banner to Boston.
More NBA Coverage:
The author of 5 books, 3 of which are New York Times bestsellers. I’ve been published in more than 100 newspapers and magazines and am a frequent commentator on NPR.
