Jimmy Butler’s late Game 7 miss cost the Heat. But he earned chance to fail

The Miami star sealed his team's fate in the NBA Eastern Conference finals, but they wouldn't have gotten that far without him

The game was in Jimmy Butler's hands, as it should have been, when he made a decision that will forever be second-guessed. With less than 17 seconds remaining in the Miami Heat season, Butler quickly went for the win and attempted a three-pointer that would have given his team their first lead of the game. It rimmed out, and the Boston Celtics held on to win Game 7 of the Eastern Conference finals 100-96. In doing so, they clinched their first NBA finals appearance since 2010, leaving Butler and the Heat with plenty of what ifs.

Butler was philosophical about a play that may well follow him for the rest of his career. Thought process was to go for the win, which I did," he said. Missed the shot but I'm taking that shot. My teammates liked the shot I took so I'm living with it."