Kelly Olynyk was the unlikely hero on Monday night, as Boston Celtics booked their place in the Eastern Conference Finals of the NBA Playoffs after defeating Washington Wizards.
Going into the deciding Game 7, with the series tied at 3-3, it was the 26-year-old Canadian who wrote his name into Celtics folklore. Olynyk scored 26 points (14 in the final quarter) as the Celtics won 115-105.
Although Olynyk stole the headlines, it was Isaiah Thomas who top-scored for the Celtics scoring 29 points. For the second game in a row, John Wall scored more that 30 points. The Washington star scored 38 points.
"It was unbelievable," Olynyk said after the win. "It was unbelievable to be in there and feel that energy, feel that enthusiasm, the passion that 20,000 people had and just thrive off that."
Kelly Olynyk is putting the team on his back! pic.twitter.com/c9d9CR9Cxl
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) May 16, 2017
The Celtics will now play a rested Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Finals. The reigning NBA Champions have won their opening two rounds in 4-0 clean sweeps.
Boston's win means the Western and Eastern Conference Finals will be played by the top two seeds in each conference for the third time in four years.
The Western Conference Finals are already well underway. Golden State Warriors hold a 1-0 advantage over San Antonio Spurs ahead of Game 2 on Tuesday night.
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