Jimmy Butler stars as Miami Heat beat Boston Celtics to force decider

BOSTON: The Miami Heat defeated the Boston Celtics 111-103 to force a decider in the Eastern Conference finals, thanks to Jimmy Butler, who scored 47 points.

He hit 16 of 29 field-goal attempts, including four of eight three-pointers and all 11 free-throw tries, for his second 40-point game of the series and fourth in the playoffs.

The 32-year-old overcame a painful right knee and thanked former Miami star player Dwyane Wade for encouraging him with a message.

The game was tied at 99-99 with two minutes left until Butler's three-pointer and three P.J. Tucker free throws gave the Heat control of the final minutes.

Before fouling out, Kyle Lowry had 18 points and 10 assists for the Heat, while Max Strus had 13 points and P.J. Tucker had 11.

Jayson Tatum had 30 points and nine rebounds for Boston, while Derrick White had 22 points and Jaylen Brown had 20.

In the early hours of Monday, a winner-takes-all tie will be played in Miami.

In the NBA Finals, which begin on Thursday in San Francisco, the winner will face the Golden State Warriors, who defeated the Dallas Mavericks in the Western Conference finals.

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