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A16 sports
Tuesday 29 sepTember 2020
Back to the Finals: Heat oust Celtics, move to title series

By TIM REYNOLDS And before long, all the
AP Basketball Writer Celtics could do was offer
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (AP) their congratulations.
— It was exactly one year "Regrets, I don't have any,"
ago Sunday when Jimmy Walker said. "I don't have
Butler walked into the Mi- any, man. I thought we
ami Heat practice gym, fought hard. A lot of credit
took a seat on a makeshift to Miami. Those guys are re-
stage and said he wanted ally good."
to be part of the team's The Heat are the only NBA
next title run. franchise with six Finals ap-
He'll have that chance. pearances in the last 15
The Heat are going to the years. They're seeking their
NBA Finals — surprising fourth title, and this chance
many, perhaps, but not didn't come easily.
themselves. Bam Adebayo The Heat had a 5-for-5
scored a season-high 32 stretch from 3-point range
points and grabbed 14 re- in the first quarter, but oth-
bounds, Butler scored 22 erwise struggled again
points and the Heat won from beyond the arc in the
the Eastern Conference first half. They were 6 for
finals for the sixth time by 14 from deep in the first 24
topping the Boston Celtics minutes, Boston was 11 for
125-113 on Sunday night. The Miami Heat celebrate their NBA conference final playoff basketball game win over the Boston 23 before the break and
"A great series. It was so Celtics with the Eastern Final trophy Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. the Heat took a 62-60 lead
Associated Press
competitive," Heat coach into halftime. And the mar-
Erik Spoelstra said. "I mean, NBA title, are LeBron James nals for the third time in the — tied it at 96. Boston took gin remained two going
in many ways, this was a and the Los Angeles Lak- last four seasons. the lead twice more, with into the fourth.
seven-game series, just ers. Game 1 is Wednesday "Miami deserves a lot of Adebayo answering both Iguodala's fourth 3-pointer
how competitive it was. Ex- night. Tyler Herro scored 19 credit," Celtics coach Brad times, first with a dunk, then — in as many attempts —
tremely well-coached and points, Duncan Robinson Stevens said. "They're super a go-ahead three-point with 4:20 left in the third put
well-put together and we and Andre Iguodala each physical, super tough, very, play with 6:16 left. the Heat up eight, before
are just honored to be a had 15 and Goran Dragic very savvy. I think they're He smacked the floor in Brown had five points in a
part of that type of series in added 13 for the Heat. the best team in the East celebration. 10-2 Boston spurt to tie it.
the conference finals, and "We deserve to be here," and deserve to be repre- It's like they knew what was Dragic had a go-ahead
then we get an opportunity Dragic said. senting the East in the way coming. They never trailed layup on Miami's final shot
for the next stage. Our guys Jaylen Brown scored 26 that they have played." again. Herro had a pair of the quarter and it was
will look forward to it. We're points, Jayson Tatum had Miami was down by six ear- of baskets in a 9-0 burst 88-86 Heat with 12 minutes
going to try to enjoy it for a 24 and a career-high 11 ly in the fourth before re- that put the Heat up by remaining.
night." assists, and Marcus Smart gaining control. A 6-0 burst 10, Adebayo found Butler The Celtics scored 10 of the
The Heat won the series 4-2 and Kemba Walker each — Herro had the last five for a layup and a 116-102 first 12 points of the fourth,
— and now, waiting on that scored 20 points for Boston of those points, needing lead everyone on the Heat going up 96-90. From there,
next stage to decide the — which fell in the East fi- only 31 seconds to do so bench was on their feet. all Miami.q

Doc Rivers announces he's out as Clippers' coach

that he is not returning as this job, my goals were to to our season, you are right
coach. The move comes make this a winning basket- there and I know what this
about two weeks after the ball program, a free agent team is capable of accom-
Clippers wasted a 3-1 series destination, and bring a plishing with your support,"
lead and lost to the Den- championship to this or- Rivers said. "Thank you to all
ver Nuggets in the Western ganization," Rivers wrote in the players, coaches, and
Conference semifinals. a statement. "While I was staff for helping us get here.
Rivers spent seven seasons able to accomplish most of Most importantly, thank
with the Clippers, making my goals, I won't be able to you to the fans. We went
the playoffs in six of them — see them all through." through a lot, and I am
major success for a once- The Clippers did not imme- grateful for my time here."
woebegone franchise. This diately respond to requests Rivers' departure means
season's team, with the for comment. ESPN first re- the league also is down to
summer 2019 additions of ported that Rivers was not four Black coaches with
Kawhi Leonard and Paul going to remain the Clip- jobs currently: Lloyd Pierce
Los Angeles Clippers head coach Doc Rivers during the first George, was expected to pers' coach. in Atlanta, J.B. Bickerstaff in
half of an NBA conference semifinal playoff basketball game compete for a champion- The Clippers went 49-23 Cleveland, Monty Williams
against the Denver Nuggets,Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2020, in Lake ship. But losing three close- in the regular season, the in Phoenix and Dwane
Buena Vista, Fla. out opportunities to the fourth-best record in fran- Casey in Detroit. Rivers is
Associated Press Nuggets cost the Clippers chise history. Rivers has the third Black coach to
By TIM REYNOLDS les Clippers, though did not a chance to play the Los been the coach in five of either step down or be
AP Basketball Writer specify if he chose to leave Angeles Lakers in the West the Clippers' six best regular fired this offseason, joining
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (AP) on his own or if he was fired. finals, and surely played a seasons.Rivers thanked fans Nate McMillan in Indiana
— Doc Rivers says he's out Rivers announced in a role in Rivers not remain- for their support. "Though and Alvin Gentry in New
as coach of the Los Ange- statement posted to Twitter ing as coach. "When I took it was a disappointing end Orleans.q