NBA Twitter was enthralled by the epic finish to Game 6 between the Celtics and Heat as Derrick White tipped in a buzzer-beating game-winner.
Why do we love sports? The final two minutes of play between the Celtics and Heat in Game 6 answers that question in full.
Miami produced a furious comeback from a late deficit to seemingly end Boston’s hopes of forcing Game 7 with a one-point lead with three seconds on the clock. But the drama continued down to the wire as Derrick White attacked the rim and put back Marcus Smart’s missed three-point attempt with a fraction of a second remaining to keep the season alive.
It was an instant classic of a finish and it had NBA Twitter in rapture.
Best memes and tweets after Celtics beat Heat in Game 6
Celtics win Game 6 🩸 pic.twitter.com/kDLJqO7e1i
— Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) May 28, 2023
DERRICK WHITE pic.twitter.com/t40QQBKVJe
— Joseph Akel (@JosephAkel5) May 28, 2023
THE BOSTON CELTICS CLIMB FROM DOWN 0-3 TO FORCE A GAME 7! pic.twitter.com/wtn5RCk5PQ
— Complex Sports (@ComplexSports) May 28, 2023
Spo in the Heat locker room after the Celtics won game 6 pic.twitter.com/FlHBiE1ady
— Josiah Johnson (@KingJosiah54) May 28, 2023
We’re one Celtics win away from this being one of the funniest pictures in NBA history pic.twitter.com/I14LiVmVTa
— I 😵💫‼️ (@Ibra_Goat) May 28, 2023
The craziest Celtics playoff win ever is Bird Steals the Ball but this might be second if Boston wins Game 7.
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) May 28, 2023
all-time playoff game there. i'd pay to see an ekg of a celtics fan over the last 15 real-time minutes of that game.
— bomani (@bomani_jones) May 28, 2023
White’s heroics resulted in one of the biggest swings of emotion possible. For a moment there it truly looked like the Celtics had managed to out-choke the Heat. Despite holding double-digit lead late, Boston nearly coughed it up as Jimmy Butler drew a three-point foul with three seconds to go while trailing two.
Butler, who finished with 24 points, hit all three of his free throws and seemingly punched a ticket to the NBA Finals. In a matter of seconds, the script was flipped. The only trip guaranteed to the Heat now is to Boston for Game 7. The Eastern Conference Finals will be settled with the series even at 3-3, just like everyone predicted just a few days ago.
No team in NBA history has ever overcome a 3-0 series deficit. Only a handful of teams in major American sports have ever done it. The Celtics are one win away from making history.f
The NBA world can only hope Game 7 brings as many thrills as Game 6 delivered.