3 Keys for the Miami Heat to Avoid Historic Collapse in Game 7 vs the Celtics

• Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo struggled with their offense in Game 6
• They combined for just 35 points on 9 of 37 shooting against the Celtics
• The Heat will need their star duo to carry the scoring cudgels in Game 7

It is now or never for the Miami Heat in the 2023 Eastern Conference Finals.

They had three opportunities to finish the series against the Boston Celtics, and all three times, they failed.

The Heat have one last chance to book a spot in the NBA Finals, with the winner-take-all Game 7 set to be played on Monday night.

Here are three keys for the Heat to get the job done in Game 7 in Boston.

Butler needs to step up

The time has come for Jimmy Butler to end the Eastern Conference Finals, not with his words, but with his actions.

Ben Simmons aims savage dig at his former team 76ers

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He made a guarantee before Game 6 that the Heat would finish the series in South Beach.

Butler almost won the contest with his late heroics, but his performance in Game 6, as a whole, was not up to the high standards of Playoff Jimmy.

He had a difficult time solving the Celtics’ defense, shooting just 5 of 21 from the field on Saturday, per Bleacher Report.

The Heat can ill afford Butler to have another slow start in Game 7.

Adebayo needs to dominate inside

It wasn’t just Butler who struggled in Game 6 for the Heat, as Bam Adebayo also delivered an offensive clunker on Saturday.

He scored just 11 points in the heartbreaking 104-103 loss to the Celtics. Adebayo shot the ball horribly, missing 12 of his 16 field goal attempts.

The Heat are now 2-5 in their past seven playoff games where Adebayo has failed to score 20 points, per ESPN.

Stephen A. Smith blasts James Harden for Game 7 performance vs. Celtics

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Miami are 6-0 this postseason when he scores 20 points or more. Coach Erik Spoelstra needs Adebayo’s offense more than ever in Game 7 for them to steal another playoff win on the road.

Generate offense from supporting cast

The Heat’s supporting cast did their job in Game 6.

Starters Caleb Martin, Gabe Vincent, and Max Strus combined for 46 points on Saturday against the Celtics.

Duncan Robinson and Kyle Lowry also provided quality minutes off the bench, combining for 21 points against Boston.

The Heat will need their offense once again in Game 7 for them to keep their championship dreams alive.

White delivers in Game 6

Sports Brief recently reported on the Celtics’ win over the Heat in Game 6.

Derrick White saved Boston’s season, scoring a buzzer-beating putback layup to spoil Miami’s party.

He finished the game with 11 points, six assists, and four rebounds.