Live Game 7 updates as Miami Heat and Boston fight for a berth in NBA Finals vs. Warriors

The Miami Heat won 111-103 in Boston to force a Game 7

The Eastern Conference will be decided in seven games. Down 3-2, the Miami Heat won 111-103 in Boston to force a Game 7 in the Eastern playoffs. Jimmy Butler scored 47 points to lift his side to victory. The Heat can win the series in Miami and reach the Finals for the second time in three seasons. The Golden State Warriors are waiting. The Celtics lead the Heat 32-17 after 1Q.

The Miami Heat haven’t been to the Finals since 2020, and the Celtics since 2010. The Bruins have lost four consecutive road Game 7s. The postseason is 5-0 after a defeat. With a Celtics victory, Ime Udoka would become the first rookie NBA head coach to win successive Game 7s. The Celtics defeated the Bucks 109-81 in Game 7 of the East semifinals. Spoelstra is 5-0 in the ECF and 4-0 in knockout games. Tyler Herro will return from a groin ailment for the Heat, and the Celtics are healthy. How to Watch Game 7

Role players must do more for the Heat

Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo score all but five of the Heat’s 27. Butler has carried over his 47-point effort from Game 6 and Adebayo is looking more aggressive, but Miami won’t win if Max Strus, Victor Oladipo, and P.J. Tucker don’t score. Tyler Herro’s scoring might assist Miami if he’s healthy. butler has played every second of the game and scored 10 of the Heat’s last 12 points. I’m not sure whether he’ll have another record performance tonight, but he’s scored on 5-of-8 shots, hit all four free throws, and committed no turnovers.

Checking in with Herro

Tyler Herro missed three games with a groin issue but is playing today. Although he was accessible, it wasn’t obvious how much he’d get in. Erik Spoelstra sent Herro in at the start of the second quarter with the Heat down by double digits to attempt to energize them.

1st quarter: Celtics 32, Heat 17

The Celtics started the game well. They’ve forced turnovers, gotten out in transition, and mounted a balanced offensive approach. The 8-0 run to conclude the quarter will help the Heat adapt and shake off some worries. Miami’s had a difficult start. Kyle Lowry picked up two needless fouls, and the Miami Heat committed four turnovers in the opening 6 minutes. They’ll need to flip a switch if they want to reach the NBA Finals since it’s all Celtics thus far.

Horford’s block is great

Al Horford hasn’t had a great series, but he’s key to the Celtics’ defense. He demonstrated that tonight by blocking Max Strus in the first quarter. The Heat forward had a dunk, but Horford didn’t. All except Robert Williams III have made a field goal in seven Celtics games. No one has made more than one FG. Balanced offense? Four of Boston’s six field goals have been assisted.

Kyle Lowry’s early fouls may hurt Miami.

Already in the first quarter, Lowry has two fouls. Both were costly for Lowry and the Miami Heat in Game 7, a win-or-go-home game. In Game 6, Lowry bounced back (18 points, 10 assists) to force a Game 7, but he fouled out in the fourth quarter. If he’s not cautious tonight, he’ll be in the same spot. Miami can’t lose Lowry, even if he’s struggled in this series.

The Celtics start fast

During the pregame program, a film of Celtics coach Ime Udoka pushing the players to play quickly was shown. They’re doing thus far. They want to press on the first chance and have seven fastbreak points, as many as the Heat. Great for the Celtics to have easy shots before the Heat established defense.

Boston came out strong

Game 7 teams might start badly owing to anxiety. The Celtics are 5 of 9 to open the game and 2 of 4 from deep. You couldn’t ask for a better start for Boston on the road.

Tyler Herro isn’t 100% but prepared to play.

Herro is likely to play in Game 7 for the Heat after missing the prior three games. The Sixth Man of the Year claims he isn’t 100% recovered from his groin injury but will “give it his best” when needed. Boston’s 25-9 record in Game 7s is the most of any club. Celtics seek the first Game 7 away victory since the 1974 NBA Finals. Four Game 7 losses away from Boston. This is the second time the Celtics and Heat have met in a conference finals Game 7. Miami won 101-88 at home in 2012 behind LeBron James (31 points, 12 rebounds).

Celtics know how to bounce back

Boston is 5-0 this postseason after a loss, averaging 17.8 points. It has twice rebounded back against Miami with blowout victories after a defeat. Tatum has averaged 32.6 points on 51 percent shooting after a defeat in these playoffs.

Both coaches aiming history with victory

The Heat’s Erik Spoelstra can become the eighth coach with six Finals appearances, joining Phil Jackson (13), Red Auerbach (11), Pat Riley (nine), Gregg Popovich (six), and John Kundla (six), and Steve Kerr (six). A Celtics win would make Ime Udoka the first rookie NBA coach to win two Game 7s (Boston beat the Bucks 109-81 in Game 7 earlier in the East semis).

Finals berth at stake

The Miami Heat wants to return to the NBA Finals after 2020. The Celtics want to return after 2010. In their past Finals appearances, both clubs lost to the Los Angeles Lakers.

Eastern Conference Finals Game 7

Game 7 between the No. 1 Miami Heat and No. 2 Boston Celtics. Sunday’s victor will take the Eastern Conference crown and play the Golden State Warriors in the 2022 NBA Finals. Watch Game 7:

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