The Boston Celtics beat the Miami Heat in Game 7 to reach NBA Finals for first time in 12 years

By Matias Grez, CNN

Updated 0954 GMT (1754 HKT) May 30, 2022

The Boston Celtics hoist the Eastern Conference Finals trophy after a Game 7 win in Miami.

(CNN)The Boston Celtics secured a nerve-wracking 100-96 Game 7 victory over the Miami Heat to reach the NBA Finals for the first time in 12 years.

The Celtics twice opened up a double digit lead and looked to be running away with the win, but buoyed by a raucous home crowd, Miami twice surged back and even had a chance to win it late.With the Heat trailing by two points, star forward Jimmy Butler opted to take a transition three-pointer with 14 seconds still remaining on the clock, only to see his effort fall short and clang off the front of the rim.Marcus Smart was then fouled after Al Horford had secured the rebound for the Celtics and went on to make both of his free throws to secure the win and set up a Finals meeting with the Golden State Warriors.«We fought through a lot of adversity this year. We're a resilient group and tonight seemed to signify our season,» Celtics coach Ime Udoka said, per Reuters. Read More«We can't ever seem to shut the door and have to grind it out. This is a typical Celtics win.»READ: Golden State Warriors reach sixth NBA Finals in eight years as comparisons are drawn with dominant Chicago Bulls team of the 1990sJayson Tatum holds aloft the inaugural Larry Bird MVP trophy.Jayson Tatum, who won the inaugural Larry Bird trophy as the Eastern Conference Finals MVP, led the Celtics with 26 points, 10 rebounds and six assists.For Game 7, Tatum wore an armband in the colors of the Celtics' bitter rivals, the Los Angeles Lakers, bearing the No. 24 of his late «idol» Kobe Bryant. «That was my inspiration, my favorite player,» Tatum told reporters.