NBA East Finals: With a brave Jimmy Butler, Miami defeated Boston and forced Game 7

This Friday, the Miami Heat need a win against the Boston Celtics to stay alive and win the game eastern end from the NBA to a game seven. And he succeeded, thanks to the unmistakable performance of Jimmy Butler, who closed out one of the best nights of his career with 47 points, nine rebounds and eight assists at TD Garden. This is wins 111-103 and the series is still 3-3.

Now all will be determined this Sunday from 9:30 pm (Argentine time) at FTX Arena in Florida, home of the Heat, who will seek victory against their fans to advance to the title definition, where the Golden State Warriors await them, who have just eliminated Luka Doncic’s Dallas Mavericks in by 4-1.

Undoubtedly, this Friday’s victory has not been easy for Miami. The team led by Erik Spoelstra had a thirteen -point advantage in the third quarter and then, in the final quarter, was three points behind on the scoreboard. however, was able to float thanks to Butlerwho silenced the stands of the TD Garden with plays worthy of a born leader.

Butler’s incredible contribution was complemented by a double-double of 18 points and 10 assists from Kyle Lowry, who completed his best game in recent months. They also contribute Max Strus, with 13 points, and PJ Tuckerwith 11 points.

On the Celtics side, they didn’t lack the usual defensive effort or the promise of their numbers: Jayson Tatum scored 30 points, with nine rebounds and four assists, and Jaylene Brown he contributed 20 points, six rebounds, five assists and three steals.

Also, Derrick White he achieved his best performance in the playoffs, with 22 points and four triples. However, his team needed to gave up on Butler’s epic night.

“Butler is the definition of a complete player in this league.. He is very competitive and you can say a lot about him. Boston’s defense is tough, it doesn’t let you get comfortable and you have to have a lot of hits, and that’s what Butler did when we really need. When they came within six points of the distance, he made valuable baskets ”, appreciated the coach, Spoelstra, at a press conference.

He added: “We are thankful to be in a very difficult series. To move forward you have to go through difficult times and I think this team deserves the seventh game“.

The narrative of the fight, with Butler as the protagonist

With no room for error in the Garden, Butler got off to a strong start, including fourteen points, five rebounds, four assists and two steals in the first quarterwhich allowed the Heat to gain a seven-point advantage (29-22).

But Butler (21 points, 9 rebounds), and slightly Lowry (10 points), only had an offensive effect in the first half. They got 31 of the 46 points their team recorded before entering the break.

It was in the third period that Butler was not left alone, but had valuable help Victor Oladipo and of a Max Strus with 11 points and three triples, launched the Heat to the top advantage at 79-66.

With just a seven -point difference at the start of the fourth quarter, the Celtics there is a return and reached a 97-94 lead on the scoreboard.

However, on Butler’s big night, Lowry also got through with a major triple on hinder local enthusiasm. Miami regained control of the game and led 105-99.

Tatum pulled the Celtics closer to 101-105, but Butler’s double on the buzzer returned the Heat six points, which then sealed their 111-103 win.

With information from EFE.

GRB