Heat’s Jimmy Butler Upbeat After Heartbreaking Game 6 Loss to Celtics

• Jimmy Butler is undeterred after the Miami Heat narrowly lost Game 6 to the Boston Celtics
• Butler and the Heat were a second away from the 2023 NBA Finals but were stunned by the Celtics, who won the game at the buzzer
• No NBA team has blown a 3-0 lead in the playoffs, and the Heat are close to being on the wrong side of history

Jimmy Butler and the Miami Heat were a second away from their second NBA Finals berth in four seasons but were stunned by the Boston Celtics in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals.

Celtics guard Derrick White sank the game-winner at the buzzer, meaning we will see a second straight Game 7 between the two teams in the conference finals.

After erasing a double-digit lead in the fourth quarter, Butler gave the Heat a narrow 103-102 lead at the free-throw line with three seconds left on the clock.

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After a timeout, the Celtics drew an inbound play that resulted in a Marcus Smart jumper, which he missed. However, White grabbed the rebound and quickly made the buzzer-beater to give the hosts an incredible 104-103 Game 6 win, per CBS Sports.

The Celtics are now the fourth NBA team to force a Game 7 after going 0-3 down in a best-of-7 series. No NBA team has come from 0-3 down to win a series. NBA teams are 0-150 when facing a 0-3 deficit.

Butler undeterred ahead of Game 7

Butler predicted that his team could win Game 6, but they fell short. They will need a monumental effort in Game 7 on the road, and Butler is positive.

"That's good basketball. I think, I believe, as we all do, like you're going to get the same test until you pass it, I swear. We were in this same position last year. We can do it. I know that we will do it. We've got to go on the road and win in a very, very, very tough environment," via ESPN.

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The 33-year-old had a rough game. He finished with 24 points on 5-of-21 shooting from the field. Bam Adebayo struggled and had 11 points on 4-for-16 shooting.

Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said they will have to do things the hard way again.

"There's been nothing easy about this season for our group," Spoelstra said. "And so we just have to do it the hard way. That's just the way it's got to be for our group."

Who's forced Games 6, 7?

Sports Brief earlier reported on teams that forced a Game 6 and Game 7 after going 0-3 down in the playoffs.

NBA teams are 0-149 when trailing 3-0 in a best-of-seven series.

After Celtics' Game 5 win, 12 NBA teams have now forced a Game 6. Only three teams in NBA history have forced a Game 7.