Grant Williams proved the difference maker as the Boston Celtics eased to a 109-81 win over the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference semi-finals. Williams finished with 27 points and 6 rebounds to lead Boston. 

Milwaukee started the better team with Giannis looking dominant from the opening tip. His 10 first quarter points giving the Bucks a 26-20 lead. 

Giannis remained aggressive in the second quarter, but the Celtics began to hit their shots. Battling back to lead 48-43 at the half. Holding their opponents to just 17 points in the second.

Williams and Jaylen Brown took over out of the break, combining for 20 points and spreading the game for the first time. Their scoring giving Boston a 15-point lead going into the final period. 

There would be no repeat of the Bucks 4 quarter comeback from Game 5 however. A treble of three pointers from Payton Pritchard gave Boston a 21-point lead with 6:59 remaining and the game was over as a contest. 

The Celtics ultimately won the last three quarters by at least 10 points. Their 22 made three’s an NBA record for most three pointers made in a Game 7. The Bucks shot 4/33 from deep as the defending champions went out with a whimper. 

Williams made 7 three pointers on his way to a game leading 27 points, with Jayson Tatum adding 23/6/8 and Brown 19 points and 8 rebounds. Giannis led the way for Milwaukee with 25 points 20 rebounds and 9 assists, Jrue Holiday contributing 21/5/8. 

Boston will face the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals. A rematch of the 2020 Conference Finals, in which Miami triumphed 4-2. Game 1 is on Tuesday @1:30am (GMT +1).

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