Watch: Miracle shot with .5 seconds left goes to waste in OT playoff game

By Mike Isenberg April 15, 2018 at 1:59pm

So much for momentum.

The war of attrition seemed to finally be taking a toll on the Boston Celtics.

Gordon Hayward, of course, was lost five minutes into the season.

Two key reserves — point guard Marcus Smart and big man Daniel Theis — haven’t suited up since March 11 due to injury.

And Kyrie Irving’s “minimally invasive” procedure was more serious than expected, and he’s out for the year.

The Milwaukee Bucks, meanwhile, survived a coaching change to grab a playoff spot, but they too limped into the postseason.

Giannis Antetokounmpo and company lost their season finale to the Philadelphia 76ers — with playoff seeding on the line — by 35 points.

But two struggling teams made for one incredible finish, with the Celtics holding on for dear life in Game 1 of their first-round matchup against the Bucks, and eventually winning 113-107 in overtime.

The game was SUPPOSED to be over after this shake-break-make move by Terry Rozier.

TERRY ROZIER SHAKES BLEDSOE FOR THE BIG TIME 👌! 😱😱😱#NBAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/H2e8dJ4cvl

— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) April 15, 2018

Rozier’s dagger gave Boston a 99-96 lead. The third-year guard is certainly making the most of his extended minutes with Smart on the sideline.

Are you excited that the NBA playoffs are back?

Ummm, not so fast — Celtics forward Khris Middleton had an answer. He took the inbounds pass with 0.5 seconds remaining and drained a three-pointer at the buzzer to send the game into overtime.

ARE YOU KIDDING!?

Khris Middleton sends Game 1 in Boston to OT with the ridiculous buzzer beater! pic.twitter.com/XUfMBKipzL

— NBA (@NBA) April 15, 2018

Middleton’s shot was incredible enough, but this wasn’t a Hail Mary. Watch his form — it was like a regular jumper.

https://twitter.com/barstoolsports/status/985604074413453313

Chances are that neither the Bucks nor the Celtics will make it to the NBA Finals, but they may have already provided the best game of this postseason.

Game 2 will be Tuesday night in Boston.

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Boston Celtics, NBA

Mike Isenberg

Freelance Writer

SummaryMore Biographical InformationRecent PostsContact

Mike is an 11-time Michigan Emmy Award winner who has spent nearly 30 years working in sports media.

Mike has spent nearly 30 years in all aspects of sports media, including on-air, 10 at ESPN and another 10 at Fox Sports Detroit. He now works as a TV agent, and lives with his family in West Bloomfield, MI.

Birthplace

Sudbury, Massachusetts

Honors/Awards

11-time Michigan Emmy winner

Education

Emerson College

Books Written

The Longest Year: One Family's Journey Of Life, Death, And Love/If These Walls Could Talk: Detroit Tigers/If These Walls Could Talk: Detroit Lions

Topics of Expertise

Sports