If you were to ask Michigan State basketball<\/a> fans to come up with a Mount Rushmore of their favorite players over the last 20 years, the name Xavier Tillman is one you would hear come up over and over again. Tillman exemplified everything it means to be a Michigan State player under Tom Izzo. His identity as someone that\u2019s willing to put in the hard work, do the little things and play their role when called on was never more evident than Wednesday night’s game.<\/p>\n Through the first two games of the NBA Finals, Tillman didn\u2019t see any minutes. With his midseason trade from Memphis to Boston, Tillman would find playing time harder to come by in a crowded bench. With injury to Celtics star big man Kristaps Porzingis, the Celtics had to lean more on their depth which would lead to 11 minutes of action for Tillman.<\/p>\n Deep into the third quarter, the Celtics were trying to keep their foot on the gas with Dallas trying to make a push. Tillman would find himself wide open on the wing and drilled a momentum killing 3-pointer to keep Boston in control. After his shot found the bottom of the net, the Celtics sideline erupted in celebration.<\/p>\n "To hear the bench going crazy on our end… it was pretty awesome."<\/p>\n Xavier Tillman on his corner three during Boston's 3Q run \ud83d\ude4c pic.twitter.com\/Wu6KCpOaSY<\/a><\/p>\n — NBA (@NBA) June 13, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n