In addition to the seven games that it took to finally decide a winner in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, there were also seven exciting shots that beat the end-of-quarter buzzer between the Toronto Raptors and Boston Celtics.
Kemba Walker was responsible for three of the seven, completely on brand with his “Cardiac Kemba” nickname.
With a compelling matchup between the Miami Heat and Boston Celtics brewing on the horizon, now is as good a time as any to relive the excitement and give ranking to some of the more wild shots from last series.
7. Kemba adds to Boston’s lead
This shot was meaningless as far as the series or game five went. Boston was ready to head into the locker room at the break with a 25-point lead. Kemba being Kemba took it upon himself to add even more salt into the wound, and drive in the lane for an easy two.
Walker’s layup is one of just two shots on this list that wasn’t a three, and it’s a nonchalant vibe in a game that was already over lands it in last place.
Kemba and buzzers are our favorite celebrity couple #Celtics pic.twitter.com/M8kWMJp6u4
— Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) September 7, 2020
6. Walker gets back on track
Walker struggled to shoot the ball in game two, but he came out confident as ever in game three. His 17 points in the first quarter tied his total from the game before, and he capped it all off with this triple.
Kemba at the buzzer 🚨
Walker has 17 PTS after the 1Q pic.twitter.com/eq5NYzfB2N
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) September 3, 2020
5. It’s a bird, it’s a plane
Nope. It’s Siakam making one of his four three-pointers that he converted all series. He was a letdown for Toronto after the star player shot just 12.5 percent from beyond the arc. Regardless, this was a clutch time to call upon a bucket to get his team within two points at the break.
Pascal Siakam beats the halftime buzzer from deep on ESPN! #NBAPlayoffs @celtics 50@Raptors 48
Jayson Tatum: 16 PTS, 5 REB
Jaylen Brown: 14 PTS, 3 3PM
Fred VanVleet: 14 PTS, 4 3PM pic.twitter.com/ARLHaj56gp— NBA (@NBA) September 1, 2020
4. Back to you, Kemba
The Celtics were rolling in game one, with the first half punctuated by a beautiful give-and-pop by Walker.
With Toronto’s defense looking dazed and confused, Kemba rose up and supplied another three points to Boston’s substantial lead.
CARDIAC KEMBA AT THE BUZZER ☘️👌🏾 https://t.co/04mlGuWTwp
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) August 30, 2020
3. Tatum’s bread and butter
Tatum cooking in the mid-range is something Boston fans have been accustomed to since his rookie season in 2017. This shot wasn’t technically the dagger in game one, but it may as well have been. You’d be hard-pressed to find a game where the Celtics lose with a 15 point lead in the second half and Boston’s young star hitting shots like this.
Something about Tatum falling to the ever-slippery NBA bubble floors and his teammates flocking to support and celebrate with him makes this shot worthy of a top-three placement.
Tatum fade at the buzzer 💰 pic.twitter.com/vTtMLWVNKN
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) August 30, 2020
2. Second time’s the charm
Game four was a crucial game for Toronto to win. With Boston up 2-1, they did what they needed to do to even up the series and keep hope alive. Fred VanVleet was an integral part of the Raptor’s valiant attempt to take down the Celtics this series and made five threes in game four.
https://twitter.com/HighlightsBot/status/1302395422653128705?s=20
1. “I don’t shoot trying to miss.”
Putting this game-winner at the top of the list is as easy a decision as one can have to make.
Tacko Fall defending the inbound was rendered useless as Kyle Lowry had plenty of room to back up on the sideline. Jaylen Brown became tunnel-visioned on stopping Marc Gasol rolling to the hoop, and nobody covered the shooter in the corner.
The rest is history.
OG Anunoby nailed one of the biggest shots this postseason and later claimed he knew it was good the whole time. “I expected to make it. I don’t shoot trying to miss,” he said.
OG Anunoby with his Kawhi Leonard playoff walkoff winner. Can watch this over and over to see different things each time. pic.twitter.com/tbV2xWbYVR
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 4, 2020
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Main Credit Image: Embed from Getty Images
