Final: Miami 103, Boston 84 - Celtics season is over

Celtics vs. Heat

Game 7, 8:30 p.m., TNT

TD Garden

Line: Boston -7.5

Refs: Scott Foster (#48), Tony Brothers (#25), John Goble (#10)

Injuries: 

Boston- Gallinari (out), Malcolm Brogdon (forearm, questionable). Miami- Tyler Herro (hand, out), Victor Oladipo (knee, out), Gabe Vincent (ankle, questionable).

Projected Starters

Boston: Marcus Smart, Derrick White, Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Al Horford

Miami: Gabe Vincent, Caleb Martin, Jimmy Butler, Max Strus, Bam Adebayo

What I’m looking for:

The first five minutes: This might tell us all we need to know about this game. If Miami comes out strong and either keeps this close or takes a lead, this could be a fight the whole way. If the Celtics come out on a big run, then they have a strong chance of running away and hiding because…

Miami’s legs: I fully believe Miami is out of gas. Jimmy Butler saved every ounce he had to make his fourth quarter run, and losing that game has put his energy meter in the red to start Game 7. We all know how hard it is to beat the final boss if your energy meter is that low. 

This is why it’s critical for Boston to start strong. Take the remaining energy out and make the late push not matter. Make him spend whatever energy he has early in the game to try to keep a runaway close, then hope he falls apart later. 

Boston’s pace: Not only is pace critical for Boston to play its best, it’s critical to drain whatever Miami might have left in their legs. Make them tired, make them make bad decisions, and make them foul. Pile up points in transition and at the line to take Miami out of whatever zone looks they might want to throw at them. 

3-point shooting: I’m expecting a bounceback after their worst 3-point shooting effort of the season. There's no way everyone outside of White and Smart misses everything again. Some of those falling early can turn this in Boston’s favor quickly. 

The crowd: It’s Memorial Day, everyone’s been having a grand ol’ time all day long, and they're capping it with a Game 7 for a trip to the NBA Finals. This crowd will be loud, and it can actually have an impact on how Boston performs out of the gate. The Celtics will need this sixth man today. 

How I think it will go:

I’m convinced Miami is cooked. I’m convinced an early push by the Celtics will put this away early. I’m convinced that if Boston follows the formula of defense → pace → transition shooting, they will pile up the points in the hurry and run away with this game. 

There are plenty of ifs baked into this. They have to play the right way and keep it up, and IF they do, they’ll win. They have push the pace and score in transition, and IF they do, they’ll win. They have to, above all, defend and clear defensive rebounds, and IF they do, they’ll win. 

I think they will actually do these things. They haven't come all this way just to biff it. I know there's skepticism when it comes to that, but this situation is ready-made for a blowout. 

I’ll give up the points and then some. Boston comes all the way back, the celebration will start early, and the Celtics will be heading back to the NBA Finals.

Follow along below or in the comments during the game, chime in, and let’s have fun.