NBA EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS: HEAT VS. CELTICS

May 27, 2023

Caleb Martin

Miami Heat

Game 6: Postgame

Boston Celtics 104, Miami Heat 103

Q. Caleb, I know obviously it's a very tough night, but I just wanted to ask, when Spo told you you were starting, what did that moment mean to you considering you didn't get to play in Game 7 in the series last year?

CALEB MARTIN: It meant a lot. I pride myself on being ready whenever my name is called, whether it be on the bench or starting. I knew there was a possibility, but just had to make sure I stayed ready.

Q. Understanding one point is one point, but most games in the series, the team that made more threes or had fewer turnovers won and you guys obviously won those categories tonight. Was this game different from the rest of the series in any way?

CALEB MARTIN: There was a couple sequences of things that didn't really go our way. Couple loose balls. Offensive rebounds were big for us; we got a couple. I think I grabbed one late in the game. We made enough winning plays to win that game.

Just a hell of a bounce at the end. Max did a hell of a job with the inbounds and taking away the catch from Tatum. Sometimes that's just how it goes, man.

Q. What did you see on the last play?

CALEB MARTIN: Honestly looked like the ball was going in at first, and then it took a gentle bounce. Kind of fell right in the hands of White, I think. Tipped it right in. Shoot. But yeah, I mean, it seemed like stuff like that happens for a reason.

But good thing about it is we've got a Game 7. This is what you play for. These are the opportunities that you get. The good thing is that we put ourselves in position to be able to get another crack at it. This thing ain't over.

Q. Given the way this game ended, what is giving you guys the confidence right now that you'll be able to go into Game 7 and win it?

CALEB MARTIN: We put our guys against anybody. 48 minutes, you've just got to be better than one team, than the other team, for one night for 48 minutes. I'm taking that group all day long. I know what we're about. I know what we're capable of. I know who is at the head of the snake for us, and I know mentally we'll come prepared.

So we'll just have to do more and make sure that we come prepared and just understand the mindset we have got to be in to understand how hard it's going to be at their place. But I think that's what our group of guys is about.

This is the type of stuff we want and this is the type of stuff we work all summer for, so we'll be ready.