MIAMI — The Miami Heat dominated the Boston Celtics 128-102 in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals on Sunday night in Kaseya Center. The Heat, who started the postseason as the No. 8 seed, are now 11-2 in the 2023 NBA Playoffs.
Miami’s fairy tale run is led by none other than Jimmy Butler who is averaging 29.9 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 5.6 assists per contest this postseason.
The Heat’s regular season record of 44-38 was a regression from their 53-29 record in the previous season, which got them into the play-in tournament as the No. 7 seed. After falling to the Atlanta Hawks in their first game, they narrowly defeated the Chicago Bulls and entered the playoffs as the No. 8 seed.
Ever since then, they have been steamrolling through the playoffs behind Butler’s fantastic efforts.
Miami dispatched the No. 1 seed Milwaukee Bucks four games to one in the first round. Butler averaged 37.6 points on 59.7 percent shooting from the field, including a historic 56-point outing in their 119-114 Game 4 victory.
Butler then scored 24.6 points per contest in another 4-1 series win against the New York Knicks in the second round.
In the current Conference Finals, Butler is averaging 26.0 points and 6.3 rebounds. He scored 35 points on 48 percent shooting from the field in Game 1. With his incredible play, the Heat are now 3-0 against the Boston Celtics.
Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals will kick off on Tuesday, May 23. No NBA team has ever come back from an 0-3 deficit in the playoffs. If history proves true, the Miami Heat will advance to the NBA Finals.
For leading a play-in tournament team to the Conference Finals and potentially all the way to the NBA Finals, Jimmy Butler has truly exceeded all expectations.
