Heat beat Celtics to set up Playoffs finals against Lakers
The Miami Heat’s fairytale season continues after setting up an NBA Finals showdown with the Los Angeles Lakers at the expense of the Boston Celtics.
Bam Adebayo led the way as the Heat topped the Celtics 125-113 to seal a 4-2 series victory in the Eastern Conference finals on Sunday.
The Heat had not reached the Finals since losing to the San Antonio Spurs in the 2014 showpiece, while LeBron James was still in Miami.
Miami were not expected to challenge for the championship after missing the playoffs last season, having finished 10th in the Eastern Conference, but Jimmy Butler’s arrival has helped transform the Heat.
Butler put up 22 points, but it was Adebayo who ignited the Heat with a season-high 32 points and 14 rebounds in Game 6 at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida.
Tyler Herro added 19 points off the bench, while veteran Andre Iguodala dazzled – going five for five from the field and four for four from three-point range for 15 points as the Heat advanced to the Finals for the sixth time.
The Celtics bowed out, despite Jaylen Brown’s 26 points and Jayson Tatum’s double-double of 24 points and career-high 11 assists.
Kemba Walker and Marcus Smart also had 20 points apiece for Boston.
Heat face Lakers
The NBA Finals will get underway on Wednesday. The top-seeded Lakers will be looking to claim their first championship since 2010.
