On This Day Last Year, Jimmy Butler Delivered An Epic Game 6 Against Boston Celtics. Can He Do It Again?

Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler needs another superstar performance to win the series against the Boston Celtics.

Remember the last time the Miami Heat faced the Boston Celtics in Game 6 of the Eastern conference finals?

Let’s take a trip down memory lane. Last year, the Heat had consecutive blowout losses heading into Game 6, leaving many believing the series was over unless somebody had a superstar performance.

Well, Jimmy Butler got that message, dropping 47 points, nine rebounds and eight assists to keep the Heat’s season alive. Butler delivered in the face of adversity, regardless of the production from his teammates. People compared it to LeBron James’ 2012 Game 6 in Boston.

The Heat may need a repeat. After Miami won the first three games, Boston climbed back by winning the next two. 

Butler averaged 31 points on 25 field goal attempts the first two games, but is only averaging 19.7 points on 14.7 attempts since. His passive play has hurt the team. 

But if Butler needs any motivation, he can look at last year.

In 2022, Butler averaged 35 points in the first two games on 18.5 attempts before averaging nine points on 25 percent shooting in the next three. With his team needing him the most, he had a then-career playoff high to force a Game 7.

The Heat are not facing elimination but Game 6 is basically do or die. Another loss sends the series back to Boston, a scenario Miami wants to avoid.

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.