Derrick White saved the Boston Celtics’ season with a clutch, put-back shot at the buzzer to force Game 7 in the Eastern Conference Finals.
The Boston Celtics. What else is there to say? Oh wait there is. You cannot count this team out!
Boston went through quite the scare in Game 6 on Saturday, as a once hefty lead turned into a late one-point deficit. From Jimmy Butler’s clutch shots to bring the Heat back into it. Then, Al Horford had a brutal foul call on Butler behind the three-point line, allowing the Miami star to get off three free throw shots to give the team a 103-102 lead with just three seconds remaining.
That was nothing for Derrick White, who inbounded a pass to Marcus Smart, who let off a three-point shot seemingly at the buzzer. But the ball rolled out of the basket, with time remaining. White had followed the ball, leaped into the air, and threw up a put-back shot to put it back into the net just before time expired to give Boston a 104-103 victory and to force Game 7!
Watch Derrick White’s Game 6 buzzer-beater from all angles
First, let’s take a look at the TNT broadcast angle and the instant replay that showed White’s shot go through the net.
Now, let’s take a look from inside Kaseya Arena, courtesy of NBC Sports Boston’s Chris Forsberg. You see White’s attempt and Heat fans throwing up their arms in confusion as they awaited official word from the officials. They then found out that the Celtics had won, and the Heat lost.
For those that were unsure that White’s shot beat the buzzer, you can see for yourselves with the slow-motion replay.
How about four different camera angles on TNT Overtime? You can see the reactions of Heat and Celtics players at the shot.
In the game, White scored 11 points while shooting 4-for-10 from the field and 3-for-7 from the three-point line. The guard also recorded six assists, four rebounds, and three blocks in 42 minutes of playing time.
No team has ever come back from an 0-3 deficit in NBA playoff history. There were initially three teams to force a Game 7, but now that list has grown to four with the 2022-23 Celtics, thanks to White.
Game 7 will take place on Monday at 8:30 p.m. ET, live from TD Garden in Boston. Can the Celtics become the first team to overcome an 0-3 deficit? Or will the Heat be able to close out the series and earn a spot against the Denver Nuggets in the NBA Finals? If Game 6 has shown anything, it’s that you need to watch the series finale. Anything can happen.