Butler’s heroics power Heat over Celtics to force NBA game 7

The Miami Heat defeated Boston 111-103 on Friday, forcing a winner-take-all duel for an NBA Finals berth. Jimmy Butler scored a career-high 47 points in the playoffs, and the Miami Heat forced a winner-take-all battle for an NBA Finals berth.

The Heat tied the Eastern Conference finals at 3-3, setting up a seventh-game showdown with the Celtics on Sunday in Miami.

“We know what we’re capable of. We get to take it back to the crib and win game seven,” Butler said.

“We knew we were going to come in here and get one. We know we’re going to win this next one too.”

The victor on Sunday will meet the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals, which begin in San Francisco on Thursday.

Butler made 16 of 29 shots from the field, including 4-of-8 from 3-point range, and 11 of 11 free throws in 46 minutes, while also grabbing nine rebounds, dishing out eight assists, and blocking a shot.

“Jimmy just brought his competitive will tonight,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. “And it was a will that would not let us lose.”

Butler stated that it was because of his faith that he was able to put out such a great effort.

“My team… my coaches got so much belief in me,” Butler said. “They give me that confidence to just go out there and play basketball the right way and just hoop.”

Butler overcame a painful right knee to score 40 points for the fourth time in the playoffs, and he credited a message from former Miami star player Dwyane Wade for motivating him.

“He was telling me I could do this,” Butler said. “Knee a little banged up but nobody cares. Go out there and continue to build your legacy and it meant the world to me.”

After losing to the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA Finals in 2020, the Heat are looking for their second trip to the NBA Finals in three seasons. The last time Miami won the NBA championship was in 2013.

The Celtics are looking for their first trip to the NBA Finals since falling to the Lakers in 2010. Since 2008, the Celtics haven’t won the NBA championship.

Jayson Tatum led Boston with 30 points, followed by Derrick White (22 points) and Jaylen Brown (20 points).

“We’re frustrated,” White said. “Everybody is motivated to get on that plane and go down there and get the win.”

Kyle Lowry of Miami finished with 18 points and 10 assists before fouling out.

“Determination. You could see it in his face, in his demeanor, in his aura,” Miami’s Bam Adebayo said of Lowry. “Everybody wanted this win.”

In the third quarter, the Heat had a 13-point lead, but the Celtics rallied back, and White made a right corner 3-pointer with 4:43 left to finish a 10-2 Celtics run and give Boston a 97-94 edge.

Butler’s 3-pointer with 2:06 left gave Miami a 102-99 lead, and P.J. Tucker added a steal, a rebound, and three free throws with 1:25 left to give the Heat a 105-99 edge.

For Boston, Tatum nailed a floater, but Butler replied with a long jumper over a defender as time expired, extending Miami’s advantage to 107-101.

Tatum scored two free throws, but on Boston’s next possession, Brown was penalized for an offensive foul, and the Heat converted free throws down the line to win the game.

“Overall sloppy basketball on both ends,” Celtics coach Ime Udoka said. “We can’t have that.”

‘Counted us out’

Tucker stated the team was inspired by Golden State Warriors’ Draymond Green’s prediction that the Warriors would face Boston in the championship game.

“Everybody counted us out,” Adebayo said. “Everybody thought the series was already over. That was all the motivation we needed.”

Butler concluded the first quarter with 14 points, five rebounds, four assists, and two steals for a total of 21 points in the first half.

“He got it rolling. We just had no answers for him,” Brown added. “We will do a better job on Sunday.”

That won’t be easy, Tucker warned.

“He has those days where he’s just not going to let us lose,” Tucker said of Butler. “His aggression brings everything for everybody else.”