The Miami Heat averted elimination from the NBA play-offs thanks to an outstanding Jimmy Butler, forcing a decisive seventh game in the Conference Finals against the Boston Celtics.
Butler turned in an outstanding performance in Friday night’s 111-103 away win at Boston. With 47 points, eight assists, nine rebounds and four steals, he virtually single-handedly led the Heat to a 3-3 tie.
The decision on who will play for the title in the NBA Finals against the Golden State Warriors will now be made on Sunday (local time) in Miami. The Heat last appeared in the Finals two years ago, while the Celtics last did so in 2010.
“My team has such great belief in me, my coaches too, they give me the confidence to just go out there and play basketball,” said Butler, for whom the 47 points were a career-best in the playoffs.
“It’s unbelievable to have a guy like that next to you,” said teammate Kyle Lowry, “I’ve played with a lot of great players, he’s one of the best.”
For the Celtics, who led 97-94 with less than five minutes to go at the raucous TD Garden, Jayson Tatum was the top scorer with 30 points. Daniel Theis did not play, as he did in game five.
