Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals

We have a series!!  The Miami Heat forced a game 7 against Boston, in Boston and Jimmy Butler had one of the best playoff performances of his entire career. He put up 47 points, 9 rebounds, 8 assists, and 4 steals in a win that not many people believed his team could pull off. 

Golden State Warriors Forward (and newly crowned 2022 Western Conference Champion), Draymond Green, counted the Heat out and said "we're gonna see Boston" on national television after being asked about what he thought about the ongoing Eastern Conference Finals.

The Celtics took Game 5 the night before and were going into Boston with the opportunity to put away a team that looked tired, defeated, and ready to go on vacation. But that was until Draymond said that about Miami in post game interview. The Heat came out game 6 with a completely different energy and their superstar carried them to a win in one of the most hostile arena's out there. 

That's the thing about the Miami Heat though, for better or for worse, they're going to take things personally. When the Heat played the Sixers in the semi-finals, sophomore forward, Paul Reed decided to test that theory. After a game 1 loss to the Miami Heat, he stated: 

“We can definitely beat this team,” said Reed. “I think if we go out there, be more physical than them, and play more aggressive and keep them on their heels, they’re gonna fold. We seen that happen in the second quarter and a little bit in the first. I think there’s one thing we realize playing this team.”

What from first glance just looks like a player trying to motivate himself and his team after a blowout loss, turned into a disastrous sentence in the third line -- they're gonna fold. As if former Sixers forward, now Heat star Jimmy Butler needed anymore of a reason to eliminate his former team. While not as intentional, Hawks guard Trae Young took to Instagram to post a picture of his game winning floater with the caption "How about that Atlanta". The Hawks did not win another game that series.Maybe it was just coincidence or that the fact that Miami was the better team in both of the matchups but the team's reaction to Draymond Green's quote makes me think Miami doesn't like when they're counted out before its over. 

So will this exchange turn into another one of those "cursed" quotes that everyone will pull up if the Heat win game 7 tonight? Or will Boston continue their streak of not losing 2 straight games in the playoff and take game 7 on the road to advance to their first NBA Finals since 2010. 

Heat are seeking out their second Finals appearance in 3 years and second appearance in the Jimmy Butler Era. The fact that they've even made two Conference Finals under Jimmy Butler is impressive in itself but both fans and the team alike recognize, there are no moral victories for this franchise. The goal every year is championship and anything less than that is an unsuccessful season. 

Both teams have made tough decisions and moved valuable assets in order to be in this position. The Celtics arguably are on the toughest road to the finals having to beat KD and Kyrie in round 1, Giannis in round 2, and is looking to put away Jimmy Butler in round 3. The Celtics winning this series would be landmark win not only for the franchise, but for the NBA. This young team has been able to accomplish a lot this season and beating the best 3 teams in the conference to get to the Finals would be extremely impressive for Jayson Tatum and his squad.

The same can be said about Miami though. If the Heat can hold on and win this series, it will be one of the more impressive Eastern Conference Finals comeback wins which funny enough, is probably held by Lebron James. 

When he played in Miami. 

When he was down 2-3 going into Boston

When he dropped 45 points in Boston to force a game 7.

Butler did all those things. Actually, he actually broke Lebron's record for most points in an elimination game and now holds 2nd place in NBA history in most points ever scored in an elimination game, falling 3 points short of first, which is held by the great Wilt Chamberlain. 

With all this being said, a lot of the odds still seem to be stacked against the Heat. In a series full of questionable calls by the referees, the league sent one down to Miami that has an undefeated record when refereeing the Celtics this postseason. Butler had to score 47 to win by 8. The Heat have lost both games 2 and 5 at home. The entire team is dealing with injuries.

Do they have enough to pull out one more triumphant win? Heat President Pat Riley would believe so as he will likely instruct them to do what he has told all of his teams to do when they face adversity: burn the boats.