The Boston Celtics had been worn out in Game 7 on their dwelling court docket by the Miami Heat within the Eastern Conference finals Monday night time, and whereas there have been many the explanation why, one among them got here to gentle after the 103-84 blowout.
Celtics heart Robert Williams III, a key participant off the bench for Boston, was reportedly coping with a abdomen virus that stored making him vomit throughout the win-or-go-home matchup.
“Robert Williams was throwing up during the game,” Stadium’s Shams Charania stated throughout “Inside the Association.” “He only played 14 minutes last night. He was coming in and coming out of the game.
“When he got here out, he was throwing up. He was coping with a abdomen virus, a abdomen bug that he performed by means of. He was sick yesterday, he was sick going into at this time.
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Robert Williams III of the Boston Celtics throughout the first quarter towards the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center Jan. 14, 2022, in Philadelphia. (Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
“That’s a guy the Celtics have depended on a lot over the course of the last couple years.”
Williams is a rebounding machine off the bench and has been utilized in a beginning position over time, together with all 61 video games he performed throughout the 2021-22 season. He averaged 9.6 rebounds per sport final season, 8.3 per contest this yr.
Despite enjoying simply 14 minutes for the Celtics, Williams went 4 of 5 from the sphere for eight factors with six rebounds and one help.
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But Williams’ well being issues weren’t the decisive issue for Boston not successful Game 7. The Celtics merely didn’t get the very best from All-Stars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.
Tatum went simply 5-of-13 from the sphere for 14 factors with 11 rebounds and 4 assists.
Tatum injured an ankle damage simply 34 seconds into the sport. He admitted after the sport he was a shell of himself as a result of he wasn’t as explosive.
Robert Williams III of the Boston Celtics appears to go towards the Denver Nuggets throughout the second half at TD Garden Feb. 17, 2021, in Boston. (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Brown, although, was even worse at 8-for-23 capturing for 19 factors, whereas committing eight turnovers. He was having bother dribbling along with his left hand, which the Heat capitalized on.
The Heat acquired huge contributions from their All-Star, Jimmy Butler, who had 28 factors on 12-of-28 from the sphere.
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Caleb Martin, used off the bench by head coach Erik Spoelstra all through these playoffs, had an enormous sport too. He acquired the nod to begin with Kevin Love out. Martin shot 11 of 16, together with 4 of 6 from 3-point territory, for 26 factors with 10 rebounds and three assists.
This was the identical Eastern Conference finals matchup as final season’s, however Boston ended up victorious after seven video games final yr. Miami wished some revenge this season and acquired it achieved regardless of proudly owning a 3-0 lead on this collection and permitting the Celtics to cost all the way in which again to pressure a Game 7.
Robert Williams III of the Boston Celtics reacts towards the Miami Heat throughout the third quarter in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference finals at TD Garden May 23, 2022, in Boston. (Elsa/Getty Images)
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While the Heat shall be targeted on the NBA Finals towards the West’s top-seeded Denver Nuggets, the Celtics will return to the drafting board to see how they will get that elusive championship for the primary time since 2008.