Butler lives up to his promise as ‘putrid’ Celtics flop

The Celtics were aiming to become the first team in NBA history to win a series after trailing 3-0.

Boston held high hopes of breaking the record given they were playing at home, where they possess an opposing 27-9 record in Game 7’s dating back to 1957.

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But Miami, led by a game-high 28 points from Jimmy Butler, had other ideas as they went on to write their own history following an emphatic 103-84 win.

Butler produced when it mattered most to collect the Eastern Conference Finals MVP, but he wasn’t alone in a complete team performance that helped the Heat become just the second eighth seed to reach the NBA Finals.

Underrated power forward Caleb Martin proved to be the unsung hero for Miami with 26 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists.

Martin shot the lights out for the Heat, dropping four of six from beyond the arc in one of the finest ever Game 7 performances.

Miami had five players score in double figures and Boston simply had no answers as they went cold at the worst possible time.

For Butler, the big win was the ultimate revenge after the Celtics defeated the Heat in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals last season.

Despite the heartbreaking loss, the Miami star vowed that his side would: “be right back in this same situation, and we’re gonna get it done.”

Butler lived up to his promise to help the Heat make amends.

Asked where his confidence in Miami came from, he replied: “I have so much belief in myself and this group of guys.

“The squad that coach Spo and Pat (Riley) put together, I see it every day.

“I know how good our players are and how good this team is – and we made it happen.”

Miami also showcased commendable resilience to respond following a buzzer beating Game 6 loss to Boston.

It was never going to be easy to beat the Celtics at home in a Game 7, but Butler always believed.

“We stayed together as a group and a team,” he said.

“We talked about going to get a tough one on the road and we did just that, but we aren’t satisfied.

“We’re excited and happy, but we’ve got four more games to go.”

The Celtics potent duo Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown failed to fire, combining for just 33 points.

Tatum rolled his ankle just 20 seconds into the game – and despite defying the pain – he clearly looked hampered.

It showed on the floor as the All-Star shot a lowly 38.5 per cent from the field (5-13) and 25.0 per cent from three (1-4).

Game 6 buzzer beater hero Derrick White did his best to keep Boston alive with 18 points, but Miami had all the answers to book a spot in the NBA Finals.

The Heat will take on Western Conference juggernaut the Denver Nuggets in the Finals.

Miami will again go in as outsiders against a dominant Nuggets side led by the NBA’s best player in Nikola Jokic.

But as the Heat has proven all season, the men from South Beach can’t be underestimated.

Miami has arguably the NBA’s best coach in Erik Spoelstra – a man who has managed to squeeze every ounce of effort and talent out of the Heat.

Spoelstra has guided his side from the NBA play-in tournament to the NBA Finals in one of the greatest turnarounds in league history.

This effort will give the Heat hope of another upset on basketball’s biggest stage – the NBA Finals.

Game 1 between the Heat and the Nuggets will tip-off on Friday in Denver from 10.30am (AEST).

Sports reporter

Matt Logue is an award-winning sports journalist and author who brings more than 20 years’ experience to NCA NewsWire and CODE Sports. Starting out in regional newspapers in Dubbo and Bathurst, he moved to Sydney i… Read more

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