Jason Tatum’s 26 points lead the Boston Celtics to NBA Finals after thrashing Miami Heat 100-96 on Sunday.
Celtics will now face Golden State Warriors in the final showdown.
Boston also earned the spot in the championship series after winning the best of seven Eastern Conference Finals 4-3.
The Celtics kept the Heat on the edge till the end to advance after losing the conference finals three times in the last five seasons.
Read more: Boston Celtics utter 4-0 of the Brooklyn Nets in second round of the NBA
“To get over the hump with this group, it means everything,” Tatum said. “Not a lot of people believed in us, but it worked out.”
Tatum was named the astern Conference Most Valuable Player and called this game the best ever of his career.
Marcus Smart and Jaylen Brown added 24 points each, while Heat’s Jimmy Butler scored 35 points.
Veteran center Al Horford, 35, reached his first NBA Finals during his career at the Celtics.
“This group is special,” he said. “I’m happy to be sharing this moment with these guys.”
The Celtics have not won any final since 2008. This is the first time Boston has reached the NBA Finals since the defeat against Los Angles Lakers in 2010.
Read more: Butler’s heroics power Heat over Celtics to force NBA game 7
The Warriors will be eyeing their fourth title in the six appearances in the last eight years.
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