Jimmy Butler's pregame guarantee backfires against Celtics
Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler.
Jimmy Butler has been running his mouth despite being on the sidelines of the ongoing Heat versus Celtics first-round playoff series. The injured Miami star made a bold prediction before his team hosted Boston for Game 3 on Saturday.
“If I gotta hear one more praise about Boston on national TV when we win a game — I’m tired of hearing that, man. It’s 1-1, we [are about to] go up 2-1,” Butler told TNT’s Chris Haynes in a pregame interview.
Butler’s prediction backfired as the Celtics dominated proceedings in the first half, jumping out to a 63-39 lead before the Heat closed the gap in the final 24 minutes. Ultimately, the Celtics won 104-84 to secure a 2-1 lead in the series. More importantly, Joe Mazzulla’s squad reclaimed home-court advantage.
The Heat star is facing a lot of criticism online for his brazen pregame prediction, especially since he’s unable to influence the outcome on the floor due to an injury.
In Butler’s defense, his irrational confidence has made him such a loveable figure in NBA circles. Last year, for example, Butler predicted the Heat would win the NBA Finals despite finishing as the eighth seed in the regular season and losing their first play-in game.
With the odds stacked against them, the Heat would make a miraculous run to the NBA Finals. Granted his prediction didn’t come true, but Butler’s teammates still fed off his never-say-die attitude and shocked the world.
The Heat will again attempt to repay their leader’s confidence in Game 4 on Monday night. The game tips off at 7:30 p.m. ET. The Celtics are -10.5 betting favorites to seize a commanding 3-1 series lead despite playing on Miami’s home turf.
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