Miami Heat have crushed Boston Celtics' chances of making history, with a 103-84 win in Boston in game seven of the Eastern Conference finals to seal a spot in the NBA Finals.
The Heat will face the Denver Nuggets for the title in the best-of-seven finals series starting on Friday morning Australian time.
The Celtics had stunned everyone by recovering from a 3-0 series deficit, capped by a knife-edge 104-103 victory on the road in Miami in game six.
No team in NBA history had ever won a seven-game series after losing the first three games.
The Celtics started out with intensity, backed by a roaring crowd in Boston. The home side's defence stifled Miami's attack, and they hit the first few baskets before the Heat got on the board.
There was an injury scare for Boston, however, as forward Jayson Tatum appeared to roll his ankle, making his first drive to the basket for the evening.
He continued to play, but was ineffective. Jimmy Butler helped get the Heat back in the game, and they went on an 11-2 run that saw the visitors roll to a 15-11 lead late in the first quarter.
Boston's radar was off, from long range and some lay-ups as well. The Heat led 22-15 after one quarter.
The home side continued to struggle in the second quarter as Butler and the Heat ramped up the pressure. At one point the Heat led by 17 points, but the Celtics tried to drag the margin back.
It was 52-41 to Miami at the half.
Miami started the second half the stronger, and quietened the Boston crowd with a number of big baskets.
With Tatum hindered by his ankle injury, the Celtics turned their offence over to point guard Derrick White, who began to hit shots from all around the court.
White did his best, with some athletic moves for baskets, but Boston could not get any closer than seven points.
It was 76-66 with a quarter to go, and the Heat all but killed off the game in the early minutes with some more key scores.
For Miami, Butler led the way with 28 points, along with 26 for fellow forward Caleb Martin. Boston was led by 19 points for shooting guard Jaylen Brown, and 18 for White.
Tatum played out the game while hobbled, ending up with 14 points.
