The Eastern Conference finals will go to a Game 7 after Jimmy Butler scored a staggering 47 points in Boston. 2:34
Most of the basketball world had already written them off before the Celtics and Heat faced off in the Eastern Conference finals.
After a long, hard-fought series, the Heat were mentally drained. Tyler Herro was out with a groin strain, Kyle Lowry was out with a groin strain, P.J. Tucker was out with a groin strain, Max Strus was out with a groin strain, and Jimmy Butler was out with a knee injury.
All the obstacles were understood by butler. He heard the doubts, but he didn't care. He had one of the best games of his career with 47 points as he led his team to a victory that forced a Game 7.
The Heat coach said that Jimmy just brought his competitive will.
When his team needed it the most, he delivered another masterpiece in a career that has been defined by hard work and determination. In 46 minutes, he added nine rebound, eight assists, four steals, and a block. He went 16-for-29 from the field, 11-for-11 from the free throw line and 4-for-8 from beyond thearc.
"It's incredible." said Lowry.
For his part, Butler took all the praise in stride, just like he calmly delivered big play after big play every time it appeared the Celtics were ready to take control of the game. This is the type of performance he has come to expect from himself in the biggest moments, and it looked very similar to the games he put up in the 2020 NBA bubble, when he delivered the Heat to within two games of an NBA championship.
After the game, he said he got the motivational assist from Dwyane Wade.
He was telling me that I could do it. Continue to build your legacy. It meant the world to me and I appreciate D- Wade.
Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green made a comment during an appearance on "Inside the NBA" that he was going to play Boston.
P.J. Tucker said after the game that he told Draymond to thank him.
Tucker explained in his postgame news conference that it was funny. He knows more about the game than we do. It's time to play. There is no guarantee that anyone will win on a night-in and night-out basis. It is odd to be a player and pick another team. I don't know.
One of the most surprising wins in recent memory was delivered by the Heat. They have the belief that they will be the ones playing the Warriors in the NBA Finals if they can close out the Celtics in Game 7 on Sunday night.
The Heat feel like they have no better player to lead them into the game than Butler, and they feel like they have no better player to lead them into the game.
I want our guys to embrace this moment, because Jimmy is a great competitor. His competitive will is as high as anyone that has played this game, so you can mis-define him in a lot of different ways. He put his fingerprints on the game.
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