Marcus Smart’s epic block helps Celtics win Game 7 over Raptors
Marcus Smart #MarcusSmart
The Toronto Raptors did not play well at all in Game 7 on Friday night, yet somehow stuck around long enough to have a chance to win the series in the final minute. Two Kyle Lowry free throws brought the Raptors within two, 89-87, and Toronto then had a golden chance to tie the game in transition after a Jayson Tatum miss.
Game 6 hero Norman Powell ran past Boston’s Marcus Smart and tried to finish a contested layup – but Smart recovered from the blow-by to elevate for a perfectly timed block. The slow-motion replay confirmed that Smart’s block was clean, and occurred just before Powell put the ball off the glass.
At the other end, Celtics rookie Grant Williams was fouled less than a second remaining on the shot clock, but he missed both free throws. Fortunately for Boston, Tatum flew in for the rebound and was fouled as he grabbed the ball. Tatum extended the lead at the free-throw line, and Boston held on to win Game 7, 92-87.
The Celtics will play the Miami Heat in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals on Tuesday.
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