The Miami Heat found themselves down three games to two heading into Friday night’s game six in Boston. It was a must win for head coach Erik Spoelstra and his squad and the Heat got it done when they needed it most, winning 111-103.
And who stepped up for Miami when they needed it most? Who else. Jimmy Butler. His game took a big step up after some shaky performances in the previous two games where he combined to score only 19 points.
So, lets talk about Butler. He finished with 47 points, 9 rebounds, 8 assists, and 4 steals. He also was perfect from the free throw line on 11 attempts and shot 50 percent from three. He lead the defensive charge that Miami needed to help them separate from Boston in a close game statistically. His offensive game, as usual, elevated the Heat in key situations including a tough and-one with two minutes to go followed by a key fadeaway jumper in the final minute. Butler also is the first player in Miami history with multiple 45-point games in the same postseason.
The Heat backcourt also has struggled throughout the postseason, in particular, Kyle Lowry. The veteran guard has had an injury plagued playoffs and has struggled to become a consistent option for the Heat as the season progressed. But when the team needed it most, he showed up. He had a double-double with 18 points and 10 assists. Max Strus also contributed to the Heat’s backcourt revival with 13 points.
Lowry on his night, “I’m never gonna make an excuse. Like I said, I’ve played bad before and I have an opportunity to redeem myself and I got great guys in our locker room, great guys on our team, great guys in our organization, and just great people in my life that support me no matter what…they always just say do you and approach the game like you know how and tonight was one of those chances that coach calls a legacy game.”
As for the Celtics, they did not have a bad game by any means. Jayson Tatum had another incredible game with 30 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals. One area where he struggled was his ball security. The team as a whole had 18 turnovers and Tatum was responsible for seven of them. The Heat defense getting to the Boston star was just what they needed to help them win the game.
Jaylen Brown had a great game with 20 points. However, 18 of his points were in the first half. Spoelstra made key halftime adjustments to take Brown out of the game in the second half. Marcus Smart also had a respectable performance with 14 points. However, the Celtics got surprised by the game guard Derrick White had. He finished with 22 points on 50 percent shooting along with five assists. His three point shot came alive in the fourth quarter and helped erase a lead the Heat had putting the game within reach at one point late into the final five minutes.
Game seven of this close and phenomenal series will be Sunday, May 29, at 8:30 p.m. at FTX Arena.
Which team will advance to the NBA Finals? Will it be the Miami Heat, or will it be the Boston Celtics?