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Derrick White · In piecing together a performance defined by his ability to deliver daggers into the figurative heart of the Miami Heat with one big play after another, it was only a matter of time before Derrick White did it literally, as well. Introducing the Heat’s defense to a bit of déjà vu with a repeat sequence from a few plays before, the do-it-all guard showcases his off-ball IQ, passing the ball into the high post before working a perfectly-timed cut right through the middle of Miami’s defensive alignment. Working perfect synergy with his teammate, White snags a pass on the move before elevating to deliver a two-handed flush over the outstretched arms of Bam Adebayo, pushing the Boston Celtics’ demonstrative lead a few notches higher. Quiet in making his case as the series’ most impactful player, White was brilliant on both ends of the floor, recording a career-high 38 points, alongside four rebounds, three assists, three steals, and eight 3-point makes. White’s dazzling offensive output ranked as the second-most points in NBA postseason history without attempting a single free throw. Not to be outdone on the other side, White limited the Heat’s scorers to just 21.4 percent shooting on 14 attempts as the primary defender, guiding the Celtics to both a sixth consecutive win in South Beach, and a convincing 3-1 series edge on April 29, 2024. · State of Mint