Boston Celtics: 3 moments that clinched an NBA Finals berth for the C’s

Moment that won game for Boston Celtics No. 3) Marcus Smart’s free throws

This was the most obvious choice for a winning moment in Game 7 for the Boston Celtics, but, nevertheless, it must be listed.

It was the immediate play after Jimmy Butler’s critical missed 3-point attempt and the Boston Celtics desperately needed some points to alleviate some of the pressure from the fiery Miami Heat comeback.

Marcus Smart took the final five shots for the C’s, which included a few wide-open looks, and, unfortunately, missed them all.

Those misses really hurt the shamrocks during Miami’s final run but he had a chance to erase all of those misses with two high-pressure shots at the free-throw line.

If he makes both, he gives the Celtics a two-possession lead and essentially ices the game. If he misses just one free throw, he leaves the door open for the Heat to force overtime.

With all the pressure on Smart following a disastrous final few minutes in regulation, he stepped up and knocked down both free throws confidently to secure the win for Boston and put them in their first NBA Finals since 2010.

Of all the moments that were viewed as game-winning, this was unequivocally the definition of the term.