Celtics’ last-gasp explosion quashes rivals’ dream as epic semi-final clash looms
Despite a formidable resistance from the Atlanta Hawks, the Boston Celtics prevailed 128-120 to e book a spot within the Eastern Conference semi-finals and keep away from a Game Seven.
The Celtics held a 3-1 lead of their first spherical sequence however the Hawks bounced again in Game Five to get one final likelihood to stage the sequence in entrance of their house followers on the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia.
Who will win all of it? Watch the NBA Playoffs and each sport of the NBA Finals LIVE on ESPN on Kayo Sports. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
It was an impressed effort from the Hawks, with celebrity Trae Young on the centre of the Hawks’ comeback.
The 24-year-old scored 38 factors in Game Five, together with a riveting last-gasp bucket to seal the victory.
And Young was spectacular in Game Six, single-handedly dragging the Hawks by way of the primary half the place he nailed 25 factors as no different Atlanta teammate had double figures within the scoring column.
With the competition delicately poised at 68-67 in favour of the Celtics at half-time, Young desperately wanted his teammates to step up and that’s precisely what they did.
MORE COVERAGE
‘Never seen this in my life’: Chaos as Aussie star physique slammed in ‘huge’ basketball brawl
‘Epic epic epic epic epic collapse’: NBA favourites OUT after all-time playoff flop, Butler genius
‘They have an interest’: Simmons linked to shock three-team commerce for seven-time NBA All-Star
De’Andre Hunter, Dejounte Murray and John Collins all piled on the factors because the Hawks nipped in entrance of the Celtics to carry a 100-98 lead going into the fourth quarter.
But the fourth quarter was when the Celtics cranked it up a notch and Atlanta merely couldn’t preserve tempo.
Boston went on a late run the place they scored 12 unanswered factors with simply over two minutes to play as they took the lead and by no means appeared again.
A scintillating couple of minutes from the Celtics summed up their high quality finest.
Jayson Tatum drained a 3 as Atlanta appeared to hit again instantly, however Jaylen Brown rose highest to swat away the lay-up try.
The Celtics then drove down the courtroom as Al Horford appeared to sink one from deep.
His effort hit the rim, however Tatum was readily available to slam down the put again because the Hawks followers and gamers appeared rattled.
Tatum and Brown have been the celebrities of the present for the Celtics, ending with 30 and 32 factors respectively.
Boston’s Game Six victory now means they’ve a date set within the Eastern Conference semi-finals with the Philadelphia 76ers.
