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Celtics React to Derrick White's Game 6 Heroics: 'I'm Still in Disbelief'
The end of Game 6 was reminiscent of what unfolded down the stretch of Game 7 of last year's Eastern Conference Finals between these same opponents in the same venue.
The Celtics, protecting a lead, again slowed the tempo to their detriment. The Heat capitalized, erasing a ten-point deficit with less than five minutes left.
Even better for the hosts, they did so with three seconds left, after Jimmy Butler earned and converted on three free throws, putting Miami ahead 103-102.
But whereas last year, it was Butler's missed three that sealed the outcome, a win that sent Boston to the NBA Finals, this time, it was a Marcus Smart shot from beyond the arc rolling in and out but landing gently in Derrick White's hands, with no one in a position to challenge him, that resulted in a season-saving, buzzer-beating put-back.
After the Celtics' 104-103 victory, Joe Mazzulla explained what his intention was on the game's final play, saying he "tried to get it to a spot where we could take one or two dribbles and get a shot" and "at the end of games like that, we always, our guys talk about crashing at the end of the game, giving it a chance, and D. White made a great play."
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Jayson Tatum, who stuffed the stat sheet with a game-high 31 points, a team-best 11 rebounds, five assists, and two blocks, conveyed, "We drew up a play, they kind of took away, I was trying to get the ball, Jimmy (Butler) and (Max) Strus jumped out to me, Smart came in and shot it, and we just crashed the glass. And everything was like a blur after that.
"D. White tipped it in, but that felt like the longest ten seconds ever, waiting for confirmation if he made it or not. I'm still in disbelief."
Warning: the following video contains the use of explicit language!
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Jaylen Brown, who finished with 26 points, ten rebounds, and two steals, expressed of the final play, "It all happened so fast, I couldn't really tell. Smart shot it and I thought it was good. And Derrick White, like a flash of lightning, just came out of nowhere and saved the day. It was an incredible play."
The two-time All-Star also shared what was going on in his mind after Butler's three free throws put the Heat ahead with three seconds left.
"In all honesty, at that point, I'm in full prayer mode. Whatever prayer I got, whatever Dua I got, reciting it over and over in my head. I knew our season was on the brink, and I'm grateful to God that we were able to get the win."
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Smart, who registered 21 points, making four of Boston's seven threes, and grabbed four rebounds, stated, "If you don't know who D-White is, you know who he is now."
White's heroics, forcing a Game 7 on the TD Garden parquet, will go down in Celtics' history, much like Larry Bird stealing Isiah Thomas' inbounds pass and finding a cutting Dennis Johnson for an improbable victory in Game 5 of the 1987 Eastern Conference Finals, one day, perhaps less than 24 hours, from being 36 years to the date from Derrick White's buzzer-beater.
Post-game, the man himself also discussed his season-saving put-back.
Further Reading
Derrick White Discusses Season-Saving Buzzer Beater: 'Now It's on to Game 7'
Jayson Tatum Sings Celtics' Fans Praises: 'They're a Big Part of What We Do'
Here's What Stood Out in Game 5 Win vs. Heat: Celtics Reconnecting to Swing Series Momentum
Film Room: Grant Williams' Value on Full Display in Celtics' Game 4 Win vs. Heat
Celtics Stars Speak on Team Sticking Together Down 3-0: 'We Didn't Want That to Define Us'
Jaylen Brown Responds to Rumors of Disconnect in Celtics Locker Room
Looking to do the Impossible, Celtics Channel Kevin Millar: 'Don't Let Us Get One'
