Heat's Jimmy Butler After Game 6 vs. Celtics: 'We're Going to Win the Next One Too'
May 28, 2022
Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler has no doubt about beating the Boston Celtics in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals and reaching the NBA Finals.
After Miami's 111-103 win over the Celtics in Game 6 on Friday, Butler said the following in an on-court interview, via Spotrac's Keith Smith: "We knew we were going to win this one. And we're going to win the next one too."
With the Heat trailing 3-2 in the series, Butler turned in his best performance of the playoffs, scoring a game-high 47 points to go with nine rebounds, eight assists and four steals.
Things looked bleak for the Heat entering Game 6, as Butler suffered a knee injury in Game 3 and played poorly in each of the next two contests.
Miami didn't put up much of a fight in Game 4 or Game 5, losing 102-82 and 93-80.
The Celtics seemed poised to close out the series at home, but the Heat's superstar awoke from his slumber and put the team on his back.
Miami also got much-needed offense out of its starting backcourt of Kyle Lowry and Max Strus after they combined to shoot 1-of-13 in Game 4 and 0-of-15 in Game 5.
On Friday, Lowry and Strus were a much more palatable 10-of-26, and Lowry finished with 18 points while Strus had 13.
The most impressive aspect of Miami's performance may have been that it occurred without guard Tyler Herro, who missed his third consecutive game with a strained groin.
Herro finished second on the Heat in scoring during the regular season with 20.7 points per game (Butler, 21.4), and while it is unclear if he will play in Game 7, he could provide a massive boost.
Boston can't be counted out considering the offensive firepower Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown bring to the table combined with the defensive acumen of Marcus Smart, Robert Williams III and Al Horford.
The Heat have momentum on their side, however, and will have a chance to win the series on their home court at FTX Arena.
Whichever team wins Game 7 will move on to the NBA Finals to face the stacked Golden State Warriors, who are seeking their fourth championship in the past eight seasons.