Celtics vs. Heat score, takeaways: Jimmy Butler shines as Miami forces a Game 7

The Miami Heat aren’t dead just yet. We will have a do-or-die Game 7 on Sunday night in South Beach after Jimmy Butler led the top-seeded team in the Eastern Conference to a crucial 111-103 victory in Game 6 at TD Garden to extend this series and keep their title hopes alive. 

Butler was fantastic for Miami when they needed him to be the most as he finished the win with a game-high 47 points to go along with nine rebounds, eight assists and four steals. Butler also had plenty of help as Kyle Lowry turned in one of his best games of the postseason finishing with 18 points, 10 assists and four boards before ultimately fouling out. 

For Boston, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown did all they could to lead the Celtics to their first Finals berth since 2010 but, in the end, it wasn’t enough that the two combined for 50 points, 15 rebounds and nine assists while shooting a combined 15/25 from the field. 

Now, we’ll enjoy the best thing that sports can offer on Sunday night. A Game 7. 

Here are four key takeaways from the game:

1. Butler has his own “LeBron Game 6” moment

Ten years ago, the Celtics won Game 5 of the Eastern Conference finals in Miami to take a 3-2 lead on the Heat and went back home with a chance to close things out. LeBron James did not let that happen, as he put together his famous “Game 6” performance, finishing with 45 points, 15 rebounds and five assists to crush the Celtics’ dreams. 

On Friday night, Butler reprised the role. 

After being a no-show for the past few games, he was flat-out tremendous in this one. Driving to the lane for powerful finishes and free throws, tough jumpers to beat the shot clock, jumping into passing lanes for steals — he did a little bit of everything to keep the Heat’s season alive. 

In the end, he finished with 47 points, which was a playoff career-high and the second-most in a playoff game in Heat franchise history, and added nine rebounds, eight assists and four steals. Butler has had some huge nights throughout his career, including in the Finals, so it may not be his very best performance, but it’s right up there. 

2. Miami finally made some shots

In Games 4 and 5, the Heat shot a combined 60-of-184 (32.6 percent) from the field overall and 21-of-81 (25.9 percent) from 3-point land. They looked like they were out of gas and out of answers against an elite Celtics defense, and there was little reason to expect things would turn around in Game 6. 

But, of course, as the old saying goes: that’s why we play the games. While Butler led the way, another key factor in the Heat’s season-saving win is that they finally made some shots. They knocked down 15 3-pointers, which was their most in a game this series and second-most in the entire playoffs, and shot 46.2 percent from the field.

Even more importantly, they came up with every single clutch shot that they needed. Aside from fouling too much, the Celtics’ defense was largely impressive again. The Heat’s shot-making was just better. Time and again they hit deep 3s and shot-clocking beating jumpers with a hand in their face. 

This one, from Max Strus, was the best of the bunch. 

3. Celtics can’t quite close it out

Celtics head…