Now Is Time For Miami Heat’s Jimmy Butler To Have Breakout Performance

With the series tied at 3, Jimmy Butler has no choice but to have a big game Monday in Boston

"Game 7" are the two greatest words in NBA history but it’s a dreadful phrase for Miami Heat fans this postseason. 

The Heat are on the verge of elimination against the Boston Celtics after building a 3-0 series lead. There are no more excuses for them, especially superstar Jimmy Butler.

Many anticipated Butler would have a superstar performance to end the Boston Celtics’ season Saturday night. Instead, he shot 24 percent from the field with three personal fouls and two turnovers. 

Butler had 24 points but much of it was playing catch-up in the final minutes. He admitted an earlier display of his fourth-quarter performance (15 points) would have made a difference.

“I told the guts in the locker room that if I play better, we’re not even in this position,” Butler said.

He can bounce back in Game 7. Butler was in this situation last year with the season on the line, scoring 47 points at TD Garden. Perhaps the pressure of going home fueled Butler and can have the same effect this year. He seemed passive and frankly overconfident after losses in Games 4 and 5, which could’ve been because of the Heat’s lead in the series.

Without the luxury of another game, Butler could have the legacy-defining effort we’ve waited for since Game 2.

It’s hard to imagine Butler going out on a poor shooting night, even if they don't win. Expect him to play better on Monday night.

Jayden Armant is a contributor to Inside the Heat. He is a student at Howard University. He can be reached at jaydenshome14@gmail.com or follow him on Twitter @jaydenarmant.