Jayson Tatum and Celtics could become fourth NBA team to achieve UNBELIEVABLE FEAT with Game 6 win
Celtics look to complete the ultimate comeback in Game 6
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Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics, Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat during the 2023 Eastern Conference Finals (image via David Dow/Getty Images)
In a stunning turn of events, the Boston Celtics have gone against the odds and forced a Game 6 in the 2023 Eastern Conference Finals after facing a difficult 3-0 series deficit against the Miami Heat. With their backs against the wall, the Celtics rallied together, displaying remarkable resilience and determination to win Games 4 and 5 and keep their season alive.
Throughout NBA history, only a handful of teams have managed to push a series to six or seven games after falling behind 3-0. However, none of them have succeeded in completing the ultimate comeback and winning the series. The Celtics, have a chance to rewrite history and become the first team ever to accomplish this feat.
Looking back at the history where teams have forced Game 7 after trailing 3-0, three notable matchups stand out. In 2003, the Dallas Mavericks faced the Portland Trail Blazers in the first round of the NBA Playoffs. The Mavericks had dominated the first three games but the Trail Blazers fought back strongly in Games 4, 5, and 6. However, when it came down to the decisive Game 7, Dirk Nowitzki’s stellar performance propelled the Mavericks to a 107-95 victory, sealing their place in history.
Another memorable series took place in 1994 when the Denver Nuggets and the Utah Jazz met in the Western Conference Semifinals. The Nuggets, the first-ever eighth seed to advance past the first round, pushed the Jazz to the brink of elimination after losing the first three games by slim margins. Denver fought back with relentless determination, winning Games 4, 5, and 6. In the climactic Game 7, Karl Malone’s dominance drove the Jazz to a 10-point victory and a place in the conference finals.
The oldest instance of a team forcing a Game 7 after falling behind 3-0 dates back to the 1951 NBA Finals. The Rochester Royals found themselves in a commanding position against the New York Knicks, winning the first three games. However, the Knicks showed an incredible comeback, capturing Games 4, 5, and 6 to force a decisive final game. In a tense battle, Arnie “Stilts” Risen led the Royals to a hard-fought 79-75 victory, securing the 1951 NBA championship.
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Boston Celtics’ historic opportunity hangs in the balance
In a stunning turn of events, the Boston Celtics managed to keep their season alive for the second consecutive game by defeating the Miami Heat 110-97 in Game 5 of the NBA playoffs. With this victory, the Celtics have now moved one step closer to making history as the first team in NBA history to come back from a 3-0 deficit and win a series.
Right from the start, the Celtics commanding a 16-1 run in the early moments of the first quarter firmly established Boston’s control, leaving Miami struggling to mount a comeback throughout the entire game. The Heat never held the lead, and the Celtics maintained a double-digit advantage after the 6:59 mark of the opening quarter.
Derrick White emerged as the leading scorer of the night, impressively sinking six of his eight attempts from beyond the arc to accumulate 24 points. Marcus Smart provided valuable support with 23 points, while Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown contributed 21 points each. Notably, Boston had four players with 20 or more points, while Miami failed to produce a single player in that range.
With the series now shifting back to Miami for a critical Game 6 on Saturday night, the Celtics have the opportunity to seize another victory on the road. If they succeed, they will find themselves just one win away from achieving the most remarkable comeback in NBA postseason history. However, if the Heat manage to win, they will secure their spot in the highly anticipated 2023 NBA Finals.
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Vivek Yadav
(624 Articles Published)