The Boston Celtics have always expected to have big games from Derrick White, the savvy veteran they traded for at this year’s trading deadline. We’re starting to see what he brings to the table when the lights are brightest.
Ever since the playoffs started, Whites stepped up to the moment when it matters most for the Celtics. He’s started games in place of Marcus Smart and has made an impact in multiple games during this ECF run.
Derrick White has been the x-factor for the Celtics in this ECF run
In doing so, White didn’t shy away from the moment in a crucial close out Game 6 with a trip to the NBA Final on the line.
He was actually one of the Celtics best players in Game 6. He recorded 22 points, 3 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals in 33 minutes off the bench.
White was also efficient from behind the arc (connecting on 4-7), which is something the Celtics have struggled with during the last few games of this series with Miami.
White did a little bit of it all for the Celtics in Game 6. Everyone was in foul trouble pretty early, including Smart, which brought White in earlier and for longer than probably expected.
Steals, deflections, cut-throughs, pick-pocket, facilitating and threading the needle making crisp passes to his guys. White did it all.
The Celtics will need another game like this from White. One that hopefully won’t be wasted in a loss.
Game 7 is Sunday night in Miami at 8:30.
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Photo Credit: Nathaniel S. Butler, NBAE Getty Images
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