Celtics coach Doc Rivers spoke in solemn tones after the game, talking about how much he` liked this Celtics team and explaining why he thought the Heat got the better of them in tonight's Game 7.

"I just thought we had nothing left," Rivers said (video above). "That's how it felt as a coach. I was trying to push every button we possibly had. Everything was the front rim. We started throwing the ball away, they started to beat us off the dribble.

"But overall, I don't think I've ever had a group like this."

Here's more from Rivers on Saturday's Game 7 loss in Miami.

"I had a group in Orlando that I am fond of, that I talk about, the heart and hustle group. They're very similar to that group," said Rivers. "They did everything I asked them to do. They came up short. Miami was terrific. I thought (Chris) Bosh, (Mario) Chalmers and (Shane) Battier were the differencemakers. This is a good team. I'm amazed that -- they're really talented, obviously with LeBron (James) and (Dwyane) Wade. Erik (Spoelstra) does a terrific job. I wish he got more credit for what he does with that group. I would guess this wouldn't be the easiest for him. So classy organization. But, again, on our guys, I love them. They were phenomenal."

Asked if he felt like he got everything he could out of this team, Rivers said time will offer greater appreciation for what this team did.

"I'm so competitive, I really wanted to win this game," said Rivers. "Really, you know, nothing to do with me. I wanted this group somehow -- when you think about this group, no Jeff Green to start the season and no Chris Wilcox, no Avery Bradley, (Jermaine O'Neal). If we could have got this group to the Finals, it would have been fantastic for us. That's all I thought about today. Somehow, let's see if we can get this group in the Finals. They deserve it with their will. I hear people at times talk about the NBA as an individual league. I think that theory is gone. This is a team. We had a terrific team effort by everybody."