Butler has made his intentions known.
The Miami Heat are the hottest team in these playoffs. After finishing the regular season in seventh place, Miami made it to the play-in tournament. They got off to a rough start, losing to the Atlanta Hawks in their first game of the playoffs. However, that loss proved to be the medicine for Miami.
The Heat then faced the Chicago Bulls in the play-in tournament and won, earning the No. 8 seed. Their first-round opponent was the heavy favourites, the Milwaukee Bucks. While most expected Milwaukee to win, Miami jumped out to an early lead with a blowout win in Game 1. They then dropped Game 2, but bounced back to take the next three games.
And in the second round, Miami was still strong. They faced the New York Knicks and won 4-2 to advance to the conference finals.안전놀이터
Miami’s Conference Finals opponent was the Boston Celtics, who had dominated the East the previous season. Once again, Miami was the underdog. But they came out firing on all cylinders, taking Games 1 and 2 on Boston’s home floor, and then taking Game 3 to advance to the Finals.
One of the biggest players along the way was Jimmy Butler (201cm, F). Butler has been on fire this playoffs, averaging 28.8 points, 6.7 rebounds, 5.5 assists, and 2.1 steals per game.
However, Butler has averaged a -22 court margin in the last two games. Miami faltered as well, dropping Games 4 and 5 to force a Game 6.
Although they lost the battle of atmosphere, the Heat still had the advantage. Butler told CBS Sports that the Heat were determined to win. “We believe we can win the game,” Butler said. Even though we lost the last two games, we still have the advantage. And we’re going back to our home. Game 6, we’re going to end the series at home.”
Will Butler be right, and can Miami beat Boston at home to advance to the Finals? If so, it would be the second time in NBA history that a No. 8 seed has reached the Finals.