Fourth quarter toughness in Game 7 proves Boston Celtics are genuine title contenders

After their showing in last night’s decisive Game 7 matchup with the defending champions during the fourth quarter, it’s foolish to question the Boston Celtics’ standing as a contender.

Well, what a ride that was. The Boston Celtics have eliminated the reigning NBA champions the Toronto Raptors from the NBA playoffs in a series for the ages. There are winning game sevens and then there is grinding wins in game-sevens; the Celtics have managed to achieve both in abundance after last night’s victory.

After an all-time bubble classic in game six on Wednesday, it was hard to imagine that game seven was going to be anything other than an all-out slugfest. In truth, this series probably should have been well over before it got to a seventh game…but all credit goes to the Raptors for the way they fought back from 3-1 down to show their resilience.

On one hand, you had the experience of the champions, wily old(er) heads such as Kyle Lowry, Serge Ibaka, and Marc Gasol. Been there and done it.

On the other hand, you had the plucky young dreamers in Kemba Walker, Jayson Tatum, and Jaylen Brown. Would experience win out? Or could the brave and bold youth of the Boston Celtics overcome Nick Nurse’s northern machine to reach the Eastern Conference Finals?

One pregame concern for Brad Stevens’ bunch was whether they can start and end the game well? The answer to this we know now was most definitely yes, but it was the toughness and control that the Boston Celtics brought to the floor in the fourth quarter which really stood out to me.

Each and every player who saw minutes in that fourth quarter should be heralded for their performance. They gave absolutely everything for each other. That includes Daniel Theis–who was an absolute warrior in defending the rim throughout this series and in this game, in particular, never once giving up on a play to concede an easy basket.

Theis’ replacement after fouling out was none other than rookie Grant Williams, who was superb in his defending. His two missed free throws late could have cost them but such is the togetherness of this team that his mate, Jayson Tatum climbed highest to claim a rebound which earned his side another two free throws to finally extend the lead.

Williams didn’t let his head drop went right up the other end and went man to man with the Raptors star of the night, Fred Van Vleet, and stopped him from tying the game up with a 3-point attempt while not conceding the foul. Big game plays were seeping from every single pour of sweat.

Speaking of big game plays, what more can we say about Marcus Smart, a pure and unadulterated monster on defense? Without Smart playing the minutes he did in this series the Boston Celtics would not have progressed. Full stop.

Smart had 16 points and six assists but it was his three steals and one unbelievably crucial block on Norman Powell with less than a minute on the clock that really summed up his series in a nutshell. Smart was quick to gain the praise of his teammate and MVP on the night Jayson Tatum who said:

“He made the play of the series getting that block on Powell, Smart just makes those plays that don’t really show up in the stat book but can change a series, change the dynamic of the game and if you’re going to war in Game 7, that’s who you want on your team”.

He went on to add that he believes Smart is the best defender in the league in an interview with Inside the NBA post-game.

While it was clear to see how much this game meant to the Cs from their play on the defensive end of the game, they wouldn’t be in this position if it wasn’t for the prowess of Tatum, Brown, and Walker on the offensive end of the floor. Tatum finished with 29 points, seven assists, and 12 rebounds in a dazzling display for the 22-year-old while Brown had 21 points shooting 10-17 from the floor. Walker struggled in the first half but proved his worth in decisive moments with a couple of difficult pull-up jumpers as well as getting to the foul line.

Last night taught us was that this Boston Celtics team has the passion. They are up for the fight. Coming out victorious in this war of attrition with the defending champions will only stand to benefit them moving forward ahead of what is sure to be another grueling series with the Miami Heat.

They will need all of the fourth quarter toughness they have built up, and more, if they are to go all the way. One thing is for certain: the Celtics have put themselves in a position to be considered genuine championship contenders.