NBA play-offs: Miami Heat-Boston Celtics goes to decider after Jimmy Butler’s 47 points in game six
The Miami Heat defeated the Boston Celtics 111-103 in the Eastern Conference finals, sending the series to a decider. Jimmy Butler scored 47 points, a career playoff-high, to send the series to a decider.
In the early hours of Monday, a winner-takes-all tie will be played in Miami (01:30 BST).
The game was tied at 99-99 with two minutes left before Butler’s three-pointer and three P.J. Tucker free throws gave the Heat control of the final minutes.
In the NBA Finals, which begin on Thursday in San Francisco, the winner will face the Golden State Warriors, who defeated the Dallas Mavericks in the Western Conference finals.
Butler, who had only 27 points in his previous three games, went on to say: “My teammates and my coaches have a lot of faith in me.” They instilled in me the confidence to simply go out and play basketball the correct way, hooping. ”
He hit 16 of his 29 field-goal attempts, including four of eight three-pointers, and all 11 of his free-throw tries in his second 40-point game of the series and fourth of the playoffs.
The 32-year-old overcame a painful right knee and thanked former Miami star player Dwyane Wade for encouraging him with a message.
Before fouling out, Kyle Lowry had 18 points and 10 assists for the Heat, while Max Strus had 13 points and P.J. Tucker had 11.
Jayson Tatum had 30 points and nine rebounds for Boston, while Derrick White had 22 points and Jaylen Brown had 20.
Ime Udoka, the Celtics’ coach, blamed the loss on “sloppy basketball on both ends,” while reserve White said the team was “frustrated” but “everyone is determined to get on that aircraft and go down there and grab the win.”
The Heat, who last won the NBA title in 2013, are trying for their second finals appearance in three years after losing to the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020, while the Celtics are going for their first victory since 2008 and first appearance in the finals since 2010.