Celtics vs Heat: One last time BOSTON

after Boston’s dramatic win at Miami on Saturday night (Sunday, Manila

Jaylen Brown began thinking about the future. He raised his hands, put up seven fingers and began yelling, “Game Seven! Game Seven!”

Game Seven, indeed.

Brown and Boston are on the brink of history after Derrick White’s buzzer-beating putback lifted the Celtics to a 104-103 victory over the Heat in Game Six. One of the league’s most storied franchises is trying to become the first team in NBA playoffs history to overcome a 3-0 deficit to win a best-of-seven series.

Next up is one more game in the Eastern Conference finals on Monday night in Boston. And it looks as if the back-and-forth series could be on its way to an epic conclusion.

The Celtics are the fourth NBA team to erase a 3-0 deficit in a bestof-seven series and force a deciding game. The previous three teams — the 1951 New York Knicks in the NBA Finals, the 1994 Denver Nuggets in the second round and the 2003 Portland Trail Blazers in the first round — lost Game Seven, all on the road.

“We’ve got another chance, another opportunity,” said Jayson Tatum, who had 31 points, 11 rebounds and five assists in Game Six to join Larry Bird as the only other Celtic with double-digit playoff games with at least 30 points, 10 rebounds and five assists. “It’s far from over. Still an uphill battle. But it always feels good to give yourself another chance, another opportunity.”

Boston is looking to extend a

FCELTICS, P10

This should the feeling that coach Eric Spoelstra and his Heat team were subjected to when the curtains fell on them in Game 6 of the NBA Eastern Conference finals.

Miami had it almost in the bag (almost ugh!) after five time AllStar Jimmy Butler calmly sank three charities on account of a foul called against Boston center Al Horford.

Everybody must have already thought (you and I included) that with just 3 ticks left in the game and the Heat ahead by one, 103102, it was near to impossible to reverse the result.

I didn’t know but the Celtics must be one with Brgy. Ginebra practicing the “Never say die” mantra.

Imagine, Marcus Smart missed a hurried three pointer but the ball bounced exactly where Derrick White was and all he needed was to go for a buzzer-beating tip in.

Lo and behold, the spheroid went in a split second befoe the red light lip up.

‘Nganga’ ang Miami. Their jaws dropped as the refs’ review found the shot counted.

Butler claimed responsibility for the loss.

He promised to win Game 7 for Miami fans even if the battle was in a “foreign land.”

Yes, folks.

The momentum and the homecourt edge have shifted to Boston.

As the breaks went the Celtics’ way in Game 6, coach Joe Mazulla must be forewarning Jayson Tatum and company to be wary of a huge Miami comeback.

Spoelstra couldn’t hide his frustration. He just accepted the defeat.

“The ball bounced right where White was and it could not have bounced elsewhere,” in so many words Spoelstra sadly uttered.

But like Butler announced in a post game interview, the twotime NBA champion coach said they will go to Boston and claim what (should) be rightfully theirs.

I like the positive confidence the Fil-Am bench strategist is spewing even if the odds now are stacked up against the Heat.

Unlike other home crowds, the Boston fans are different.

They are boisterous and sometimes they yell vexatious remarks to unsettle the opposing teams.

Look, if the Heat played the way they performed in Games 5 and 6, then I’d say they will be in for a big surprise.

Butler underperformed in both matches and so did Lowery.

Kevin Love should be back to add more firepower and muscle under the boards.

If Spoelstra cannot limit Tatum’s and Jaylen Brown’s pro- duction and conversely increase his forwards output, Boston will go to the Finals.

Spoelstra has another headache in Boston’s hulking center Robert Williams who intimidates every Heat player who tries to get inside the paint.

Well, if they lose, Miami will be the first team to be yanked out while holding a 0-3 edge.

But Spoelstra is no stranger to walking the tight rope.

Give or take, Game 7 will be a delight to all basketball fanatics. Be sure you have a six-pack beside you. No time to pee when the game is on. (Email feedback to fredlumba@yahoo.com.) GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES!