This should the feeling that coach Eric Spoelstra and his Heat team were subjected to when the curtains fell on them in Game 6 of the NBA Eastern Conference finals.
Miami had it almost in the bag (almost ugh!) after five time All- Star Jimmy Butler calmly sank three charities on account of a foul called against Boston center Al Horford.
Everybody must have already thought (you and I included) that with just 3 ticks left in the game and the Heat ahead by one, 103-102, it was near to impossible to reverse the result.
I didn’t know but the Celtics must be one with Brgy. Ginebra practicing the “Never say die” mantra.
Imagine, Marcus Smart missed a hurried three pointer but the ball bounced exactly where Derrick White was and all he needed was to go for a buzzer-beating tip in.
Lo and behold, the spheroid went in a split second befoe the red light lip up.
‘Nganga’ ang Miami. Their jaws dropped as the refs’ review found the shot counted.
Butler claimed responsibility for the loss.
He promised to win Game 7 for Miami fans even if the battle was in a “foreign land.”
Yes, folks.
The momentum and the homecourt edge have shifted to Boston.
As the breaks went the Celtics’ way in Game 6, coach Joe Mazulla must be forewarning Jayson Tatum and company to be wary of a huge Miami comeback.
Spoelstra couldn’t hide his frustration. He just accepted the defeat.
“The ball bounced right where White was and it could not have bounced elsewhere,” in so many words Spoelstra sadly uttered.
But like Butler announced in a post game interview, the two-time NBA champion coach said they will go to Boston and claim what (should) be rightfully theirs.
I like the positive confidence the Fil-Am bench strategist is spewing even if the odds now are stacked up against the Heat.
Unlike other home crowds, the Boston fans are different.
They are boisterous and sometimes they yell vexatious remarks to unsettle the opposing teams.
Look, if the Heat played the way they performed in Games 5 and 6, then I’d say they will be in for a big surprise.
Butler underperformed in both matches and so did Lowery.
Kevin Love should be back to add more firepower and muscle under the boards.
If Spoelstra cannot limit Tatum’s and Jaylen Brown’s production and conversely increase his forwards output, Boston will go to the Finals.
Spoelstra has another headache in Boston’s hulking center Robert Williams who intimidates every Heat player who tries to get inside the paint.
Well, if they lose, Miami will be the first team to be yanked out while holding a 0-3 edge.
But Spoelstra is no stranger to walking the tight rope.
Give or take, Game 7 will be a delight to all basketball fanatics. Be sure you have a six-pack beside you. No time to pee when the game is on. (Email feedback to fredlumba@yahoo.com.) GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES!
