Amid LeBron James vs Michael Jordan GOAT Debate, Jimmy Butler Leaves Both Legends Behind By Doing Something Amazing at Celtics Game

Jimmy Butler was in his bag in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Boston Celtics. Unfazed by the intensity and tenacity of the away crowd, the Miami Heat standout carried his team and kept them alive. In fact, he achieved something which left behind NBA legends such as LeBron James and Michael Jordan.

The Miami Heat defeated the Boston Celtics at the TD Garden 111-103 on Friday, setting a Game 7 on Sunday. When trouble descended on them like a hail of fireballs, Jimmy Buckets rushed to their aid. He led the charge with 47 points, shooting 16-of-29 from the field and 4-of-8 from beyond the arc. Butler also tallied 9 rebounds, 8 assists, and 4 steals, exhibiting his outstanding all-around talent.

After dropping 14 points in the opening quarter, Butler would take care of business by erupting for 17 in the crucial quarter. Butler’s 17-point fourth quarter will almost certainly make headlines in the days ahead.

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Butler sank a long two with 43.9 seconds left after catching and shooting off an inbound pass with Derrick White’s hand in his face.

In addition to his career night, Jimmy Butler delivered one of the finest performances by an NBA player-facing elimination in history. In fact, he entered an exclusive club that does not even include LeBron James and Michael Jordan.

Jimmy Butler joins an elite company, that LeBron James and Michael Jordan aren’t a part of

Jimmy Butler’s 47-point outburst was one of the finest by a player facing elimination in NBA history. In fact, his points total was the seventh-highest in NBA history by a player in that situation.

And it’s fair to assume that the Miami man has joined some elite company. His 47 points place him behind Wilt Chamberlain, Hakeem Olajuwon, Kevin Durant, Sleepy Floyd, and Jamal Murray. Many would be surprised to see that LeBron James and Michael Jordan aren’t on this list; however, the NBA legends aren’t far behind.

Butler’s stat line mirrored LeBron James’ in an incredibly similar scenario for the Heat against the Celtics in the conference finals in 2012. Miami, like tonight, traveled to TD Garden for Game 6 in 2012, trailing 3-2. LeBron then went on to score 45 points, grab 15 rebounds, and tally five assists in the Heat’s 98-79 victory to force a Game 7. The Heat won that game, advanced to the NBA Finals, and James claimed his first of four NBA championships.

Many would argue that Michael Jordan‘s greatness was so unparalleled that he never faced elimination; however, this is not the case. Michael Jordan sent the Cleveland Cavaliers and their fans packing on May 7, 1989, when he nailed “The Shot.” With the Chicago Bulls trailing the Cleveland Cavaliers in the final seconds of Game 5 of their first-round series, Jordan delivered one of his most memorable performances.

The legend collected the inbound ball with 3 seconds remaining and swiftly moved into shooting position. Jordan stayed in the midair on the jumper long enough to dodge Craig Ehlo’s block attempt, eventually pouring the game-winning jumper.

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Jordan concluded with 44 points, 9 rebounds, and 6 assists. With a 101-100 win, Chicago moved to the second round. The Bulls ended up losing to the Detroit Pistons in the Eastern Conference finals.