Derrick White scored a dramatic goal as the Boston Celtics continued their stellar comeback from 3-0 to an Eastern Conference Semifinal tie against the Miami Heat.
With the Celtics trailing 103-102, Marcus Smart’s final three-point attempt bounced off the rim but White turned it over moments before the buzzer.
No NBA team has come from behind 3-0 to win a best-of-7 series.
The deciding final takes place on Monday (01:30 GMT Tuesday) in Boston.
The winners will face the Denver Nuggets in the Finals starting Thursday (01:30 GMT Friday).
Although the Celtics led most of the contest at Florida’s Kaseya Center, the Heat seemed to secure the win — and the series — after Jimmy Butler was fouled by Al Horford on his attempt for a three-pointer with three seconds left.
Butler maintained his composure to hit all three free throws and give Miami a one-point lead before White’s late tackle.
“The ball came to me,” said White, “I fired the ball. That’s what I saw.”
“It was such a good feeling. Everyone was asking me, ‘Did you get rid of it?'” And I said, “Yeah, I think so,” but it was so close, you never know.
“I’m happy we won. Whatever it takes. We have our backs against the wall.”
Jason Tatum scored 31 points, 11 rebounds and five assists for the Celtics, while Jaylen Brown finished with 26 points and 10 rebounds.
“It gives you super confidence,” Brown said. “It doesn’t get much worse than losing 0-3. We feel like we’ve been to hell and back.
“We feel that we can handle any adversity that comes our way in the game, during the season or in the post-season.
“It all means nothing if we don’t go out and do our best on our home turf on Monday.”
Butler scored 24 points, including 15 in the last quarter, and Caleb Martin 21 for Miami.
