Heat vs. Celtics score: Live Game 7 updates as Miami, Boston battle for spot in NBA Finals vs. Warriors

The Eastern Conference will need seven games to decide its champion. Down 3-2, the Miami Heat went into Boston Friday night and defeated the Celtics 111-103 to force a do-or-die Game 7 in the Eastern finals. Jimmy Butler dropped a playoff career-high 47 points as he willed his team to victory. The Heat now have a chance to complete the series comeback in Miami and earn their second Finals berth in three seasons. Awaiting the winner are the Golden State Warriors. The Celtics get off to a hot start, and lead the Heat 32-17 after one quarter.

 The Heat seek their first Finals appearance since 2020, while the Celtics eye their first berth since 2010. Boston has lost four straight Game 7s on the road. However, it’s a perfect 5-0 following a loss this postseason. With a Celtics win, Ime Udoka would become the first rookie head coach in NBA history to win multiple Game 7s; the Celtics beat the Bucks 109-81 in Game 7 earlier in the East semis. Erik Spoelstra owns a 5-0 record in the Eastern Conference finals, and is 4-0 all-time in ECF elimination games. Both teams enter as close to full health as possible as Tyler Herro will return from a groin injury for the Heat, while the Celtics remain at full strength again. Here’s how to watch Game 7.

Follow below for all the real-time updates and analysis from FTX Arena between the Heat and Celtics.