The Miami Heat appear to be reeling after last night’s buzzer-beating loss to the Boston Celtics in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals.
Miami has lost three straight games after going up 3-0, and a loss in Game 7 tomorrow night in Boston would secure them a place in NBA infamy as the first team to blow a 3-0 series lead.
Heat star Jimmy Butler and head coach Erik Spoelstra don’t seem to be worried about that possibility though, at least not publicly.
Both Butler and Spoelstra guaranteed victory in Game 7 minutes after Saturday’s shocking defeat.
“I’m not going to let anybody quit. I’m not going to let our guys quit,” Butler told reporters post-game. “I don’t give a damn what happens. We’re going to go in there, we’re going to win.”
Jimmy Butler guarantees a Miami Heat Game 7 win 👀pic.twitter.com/ptFZGrmf5v
— Action Network (@ActionNetworkHQ) May 28, 2023
Of course, Butler also pretty much guaranteed a win in Game 6, and that didn’t work out, despite his three free throws with three seconds left to put the Heat ahead 103-102.
Spoelstra also expressed confidence, telling reporters his team wishes it could play Game 7 “right now” but they will wait 48 hours and “get it done” Monday night.
“At this time right now, I don’t know how we’re going to get this done, but we’re going to go up there and get it done,” he said.
Erik Spoelstra:
“I don’t know how we’re going to get this done, but we’re going to go up there and get it done… We wish we can tip this thing off right now. Right now.” 🗣️
(via @ohnohedidnt24)
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) May 28, 2023
Game 7 is set for Monday night at 8:30 p.m. ET.