In a game where the Boston Celtics had a chance to close out their series against the Miami Heat, and head to the NBA Finals, they did the exact opposite. The Celtic’s defense looked like a shell of what it usually is, and with that Jimmy Butler, the Heat’s go-to man got to scoring 47 points in 46 minutes as the Heat forced a Game 7 in this Eastern Conference Finals. If the Heat we’re to win game 7, then the winner of the inaugural Larry Bird Eastern Conference Finals MVP will undoubtedly be Jimmy Butler.
The 32-year-old Heat marksman was electric in last night’s game, seemingly making every shot he would take. This would propel other Heat players to have big games as well, such as Kyle Lowry, Max Strus, and even Bam Adebayo. All these players had lackluster game 5’s, but in the game 6 the Heat spirit came alive, and we got a real basketball show.
The Celtics looked like the jitters of potentially advancing to the NBA Finals were getting to them. They were sloppy with the ball, committing turnovers at key times, which the Heat would then capitalize on. Shots we’re looking forced, especially in the first quarter, and as soon as they’d pick up a stitch of momentum, a costly turnover or bad shot attempt would ensue, destroying any momentum they were carrying.
In saying that, their second half was much better, and they even secured the lead with 5 minutes remaining. It looked as if Boston was going to run to the Finals in the final 5 minutes, but Jimmy Butler took it upon himself to save the Heat and force a game 7. P.J Tucker also had an outstanding game, and really came up clutch in those finals 5 minutes, hitting a clutch three to sway the momentum in the Heat’s favor.
It wasn’t a bad game by the Celtics by any means of the imagination, it’s just the Heat, may I say, Jimmy Butler, wanted this win more. Now, with a game 7 and a trip to the NBA Finals on the line, who will come out with their best game. Jayson Tatum is known to come out strong in games where elimination is on the line, but so does Jimmy Butler.
Game 7 will be a battle between Jimmy Buckets and Jayson Tatum, one where each star will dictate their team’s future in this postseason. Another huge part of game 7 will be the secondary scoring and the scoring off the bench. For the Heat Bam Adebayo has to have a monster game and take aggressive control in the paint. For the Celtics Marcus Smart has to clamp down defensively and be an absolute dog in hounding the Heat, forcing them to throw up bad shots.
I’m still not certain who comes out on top, but if one thing is for certain, is that we’re in for one hell of a show!