How Derrick White made historical past in Celtics’ first-round win over Warmth initially appeared on NBC Sports activities Boston
The Boston Celtics cruised to the Japanese Convention semifinals with a five-game first-round sequence win over the Miami Warmth, and their finest participant within the sequence was Derrick White.
The veteran level guard performed a key position within the Celtics’ series-clinching Recreation 5 victory Wednesday with 25 factors on 8-of-13 taking pictures (5-of-10 from 3-point vary), in addition to 5 rebounds, two assists and one steal in 29 minutes.
White averaged 22.4 factors per recreation within the sequence, and he shot a powerful 57.7 p.c from the sphere, 47.7 p.c from 3-point vary and 90 p.c from the free throw line.
He additionally made some NBA playoff historical past by turning into simply the sixth participant to common at the very least 20 factors per recreation on 55/45/90 taking pictures splits in a playoff sequence (minimal 5 video games).
Listed below are the opposite 5 gamers who’ve achieved that feat, per NBA Stats:
James Harden, 2021 R1 vs BOS (27.8 PPG, 55.6/47.5/90.9)
Kevin Durant, 2017 NBA Finals vs CLE (35.2 PPG, 55.6/47.4/92.7)
Kyrie Irving, 2017 ECF vs BOS (25.8 PPG, 62.2/50.0/91.7)
Allan Houston, 2001 R1 vs TOR (20.8 PPG, 59.4/54.5/100)
Byron Scott, 1985 WCF vs DEN (23.4 PPG, 65.4/62.5/90.9)
White had a stellar common season for the Celtics, averaging 15.2 factors and taking pictures a career-high 39.6 p.c from past the arc. However it’s not simply his scoring that’s contributing to successful. His protection is elite, too, and he did an amazing job shutting down Warmth guard Tyler Herro within the first spherical.
The Celtics are the favorites to win the NBA Finals this spring, and if they will lastly declare Banner 18 in June, they’re going to want White to maintain enjoying a serious position at each ends of the courtroom.
The subsequent step for the Celtics is within the second spherical, the place they may play the winner of the Cavaliers-Magic sequence.
