That was too close for comfort. But, a win is a win. The Celtics are headed to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2010.
The difference proved to be Boston’s big first quarter, which the Celtics were looking for coming into Sunday. Jaylen Brown said the Celtics needed to come out stronger after Boston’s Game 6 loss. Ime Udoka didn’t hold shootaround, and the adjustment paid off.
But now comes the biggest test of all. The Heat may have experience, and Jimmy Butler is tough, but this whole thing is old hat for the Golden State Warriors.
Game 1 of the NBA Finals is on Thursday at 9 p.m. Golden State has home-court advantage, so the series will begin at Chase Center.