Foul fling
Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum fouls Miami Heat guard Kyle Lowry during game 4 of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals. Tatum collected 33 points and 11 rebounds as the Celtics staved off elimination with a 116-99 win in Miami. Tatum made 14 of 22 shot attempts from the floor.
This included 4 of 9 from 3-point range. He also had seven assists for the second-seeded Celtics, who trail 3-1 heading into game 5 in Boston tomorrow morning, Hong Kong time. “Now we just have to go win another one, that’s all that matters,” Celtic guard Marcus Smart said.
“We’re taking one game at a time. We understand that the odds are stacked against us ... but all that matters is the next game.” Jaylen Brown scored 17 points and Derrick White added 16 to help the Celtics prevent Miami from becoming the second eighth-seeded team to advance to the NBA Finals.
The 1998-99 New York Knicks accomplished the feat during a lockoutshortened season. Grant Williams scored 14 points and Al Horford added 12 points and seven rebounds for the Celtics, who turned the tide in outscoring the Heat 38-23 in the third quarter.
Boston shot 51.2 per cent from the floor (43 of 84) for the game and 40 per cent from 3-point range (18 of 45). “We have to keep that same level of intensity, same mindset, same focus for the next game,” Celtics coach Joe Mazzullas said after he pointed the finger at himself following their 128-102 loss in game 3.
Miami’s Jimmy Butler overcame a slow start to record 29 points and nine rebounds. Butler was quick to disagree when asked if the momentum was now with Boston. “No. If anything, it will build momentum for us ... we have to play with a lot more energy,” he said.