While avoiding history, the Miami Heat simultaneously made plenty of it.
By taking down the Boston Celtics 103-84 in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals on Monday night, the Heat avoided becoming the first-ever team to blow a 3-0 lead in the NBA Playoffs. At the same time, Miami has now become just the second-ever eight-seed to advance to the NBA Finals, joining the 1999 New York Knicks.
After Derrick White seemingly crushed Miami’s spirit in front of their home fans in Game 6, the Heat — powered by Jimmy Butler, who was named the ECF Most Valuable Player — responded in championship-caliber fashion, quickly slamming the door shut on Boston’s hopes of winning four straight elimination contests.