NBA EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS: CELTICS VS. HEAT

May 27, 2022

Derrick White

Boston Celtics

Game 6: Postgame

Heat 111, Celtics 103

Q. Down the stretch they kept hitting these momentum-killing shots that they hadn't been hitting throughout the course of the series. What was different about tonight, and why weren't you able to kind of overcome that this time?

DERRICK WHITE: Yeah, I mean, I think there was three or four that I can remember where it was just last-second shot clock tough make. Those are kind of back breakers, especially down the stretch. But we've just got to just continue to guard, just gave them a lot of confidence early and then the shots seem to go in when you do that. It's a tough one.

Q. A lot of conversation about this being a sort of Game 7 for you guys, that you didn't want to get back onto a plane and get back down to Miami. What's it like now in the locker room for you, this idea of having to go back down there, and do you feel like this is a missed opportunity?

DERRICK WHITE: Yeah. I mean, we're frustrated, but if it was easy, it wouldn't be us. We're going to get on this plane, we're going to go down to Miami and try to get the big win in Game 7. We've been here before, and we've got a lot of confidence in our group.

Q. Is that what you guys were saying to each other? What were the conversations like in the locker room?

DERRICK WHITE: Yeah, just kind of overall frustrated, but get some rest, learn from it, get on this plane and go to Miami and get a win.

Q. Was it hard to block out the noise and everyone kind of anointing you guys into the Finals?

DERRICK WHITE: Nah. Not for me personally. I think they've been saying that since the Playoffs started for us. I mean, it's a big stage, and they came out and played really well tonight.

Q. How different was Jimmy?

DERRICK WHITE: I mean, he came out from the jump and kind of put his imprint on the game and made some tough shots. We gave him some ones. We'll watch the film and get better on it.

Q. You had a play with two minutes left where it looked like you might have been showing up on him and let him go by. Were you trying to show and mix up coverages on him or was there some sort of switch miscommunication there?

DERRICK WHITE: Yeah, just mixing up coverages. Obviously, we've got to do a better job. That was a big play for him.

Q. He kind of just kept coming at you and at you and even in moments where you guys would get a stop, he would still keep coming. What was it about his persistence that got past you tonight?

DERRICK WHITE: I mean, that's just who he's been his whole career, constantly attacking and doing what he does to help his team win. We knew it was coming, and we've got to do a better job in Game 7.