Celtics react to Jimmy Butler missing potential go-ahead three: “It was nerve-racking”

Boston Celtics were in control for most of Gm7 vs the Miami Heat. However, the Heat fought until the end and came back in the last three minutes of the game to cut an 13-point lead to a 2-point deficit in the last 30 seconds of the game.

Butler had the chance to put Miami ahead, but his three-point attempt fell short and the Celtics secure the rebound to close the seven-game series. Butler’s three was a potential go-ahead attempt for the Heat.

“My thought process was ‘go for the win’, which I did. Missed a shot,” Butler said. “But I’m taking that shot. My teammates liked the shot that I took. So I’m living with it.”

The Celtics were relieved seeing Butler’s shot falling short after leading from the start to finish. Al Horford explained it was nerve-racking for his team as Butler fought his way to 35 points after dropping 47 in Game 6 of the series.

“He got a good look at it. It was nerve-racking. He pulled up, and anything could have happened there. He could have made the shot. Fortunately (I) contested it enough, and he missed it, and we were able to get control of the ball,” Horford told reporters.

The Celtics experienced laps of concentration during the fourth quarter as they started the game with a 32-17 lead in the first quarter. They took a 13-point lead (98-85) after Smart made two free-throws with 3:30 remaining in the game.

“Jimmy has been playing well, so when he pulled up, it was kind of like, oh, man. Just hope he doesn’t make it,” Smart said. “I just think our defense wore on him, and he had got a good look from a great player and missed it”.

After beating Miami, the Celtics returned to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2010. They aspire to win the first title in 14 years, starting Thursday against the Warriors in San Francisco.

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