Celtics' run to NBA Finals full of little surprises

This unlikely Celtics team is headed back to the NBA Finals, where they believe they belong. But how did they make it this far? The unlikeliest fingerprints on the Eastern conference trophy belonged to Nate Robinson, whose 13 improbable points turned second-quarter gloom into fourth-quarter chants of "Beat LA!"

"Nate Robinson was huge," said Orlando coach Stan Van Gundy, who was too disappointed in the Magic's closeout 96-84 loss in Game 6 on Friday to recognize the multiple ironies in what he just said.

The story of Robinson is the latest verse in a season-long narrative of pain and doubt and happy endings. Afterwards coach Doc Rivers traced their return to the Finals back 12 months to their Game 7 loss in the second round on this same court to these same Magic.