CELTICS 109, BUCKS 81/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/bostonglobe/DFMAYMJKDMFVJCGW2YD5BXCJSI.jpg)
Box score: Celtics 109, Bucks 81Washburn: The Celtics navigated three tough days — and a tough season — with trust and belief in each other
How it happened: Celtics demolish Bucks, 109-81, to advance to Eastern Conference finals
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‘We didn’t want it to be over:’ How the Celtics marched past the defending champs and into the Eastern Conference finals
The Bucks deployed their big men on Williams and essentially dared him to make a shot by sagging back in the paint. He scored a game-high 27, breaking the NBA Game 7 record with 18 3-point attempts.
Gary Washburn | On Basketball/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/bostonglobe/653R7IQORHZ6RGIB6RIGIQC22U.jpg)
The Celtics navigated three tough days — and a tough season — with trust and belief in each otherDespite a heartbreaking Game 5 loss, the Celtics have been resilient and mentally tough.
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ADAM HIMMELSBACH | INSTANT ANALYSIS/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/bostonglobe/ZFIUA53RPCE7XGXTXWOSYKX6QI.jpg)
It’s the Grant Williams Game, and other observations as Celtics blow out Bucks in Game 7 en route to Eastern Conference finalsAfter a dismal start, the Celtics clawed back in the second quarter and were dominant after the break, despite Jayson Tatum missing most of the third quarter due to foul trouble.
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Celtics 109, Bucks 81/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/bostonglobe/4WYSWEGTGW7H2KFGTMU3RJ23WU.jpg)
How it happened: Celtics demolish Bucks, 109-81, to advance to Eastern Conference finalsGrant Williams led all scorers with 27 points. The Celtics will face the Miami Heat in a seven-game series that opens Tuesday in Miami.
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Chad Finn/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/bostonglobe/AESS254LKG65ZUQ2XFJA3R6QZA.jpg)
Jayson Tatum makes his Celtics teammates better and that is why he has cracked the code for true NBA superstardomTatum didn't have to carry the Celtics in Game 7, so instead he became a facilitator and a defender.
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Celtics open Eastern Conference finals in Miami against Heat on Tuesday; See the full scheduleThe Celtics will have to hit the road and will be without home-court advantage for the first time in these playoffs.
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RANGERS 7, RED SOX 1/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/bostonglobe/YBP4KM2VILDZGC53TOBDH2HHUI.jpg)
Bullpen game falls short, Red Sox bats go quiet in series finale loss to RangersTexas hit four home runs, including two off Ryan Brasier in a four-run sixth inning, and Boston managed only seven hits total - three from Rafael Devers.
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HURRICANES 3, BRUINS 2/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/bostonglobe/BOZFE6NMENEMNV6G6VSILKYLJM.jpg)
Box score: Hurricanes 3, Bruins 2Instant Analysis : The Bruins had what it took to get it done, but in the end they didn’t/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/bostonglobe/BOZFE6NMENEMNV6G6VSILKYLJM.jpg)
Bruins home for the summer as Hurricanes cruise to Game 7 win in Carolina
Carolina scored first for the sixth time in seven series games, going ahead just as the Bruins looked like they'd escape the first period unscathed, and two Max Domi goals in the second period were too much for Boston.
peter abraham | on baseball/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/bostonglobe/XRLDMU3LXLEGOMTWRII5K25EH4.jpg)
Hitting coach Tim Hyers left the Red Sox for the opportunity to develop another championship from the ground up/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/bostonglobe/XRLDMU3LXLEGOMTWRII5K25EH4.jpg)
The Red Sox may be down right now, but with expanded playoffs it’s too early to count them out
Boston took the field Saturday night in last place in the American League East but only 4½ games out of a playoff spot.
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