Miami Heat know defeat in Boston on Friday will see their championship hopes ended for another year, but star man Jimmy Butler insists his team are up for the challenge.
Miami can be backed at 13/4 to win in the Money Line on Friday, while the Celtics are 10/11 with a -8 handicap in the Point Spread.
The Heat led the series 2-1 after the first three games, but back-to-back defeats have left them on the brink of elimination.
Injuries hampering Heat effort
Miami have been dealing with injury issues over the course of the series. Veteran guard Kyle Lowry missed the first two games with a hamstring issue and is still managing the issue.
Sixth Man of the Year award winner Tyler Herro has missed the last two games with a groin strain and remains questionable for Game 6, while Butler himself as been dealing with a knee injury.
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Butler admits he needs to improve if Miami are to fight back and secure a place in the Finals Series but played down the significance of his injury, stressing he still feels able to compete at a high level.
Butler plays down knee struggles
"It doesn't matter," said Butler of his knee, as reported by The Kansas City Star. "If I'm out there, I've got to do better. I've got to find a way to help us win and I haven't been doing that. I'm fine, my knee is OK, I've just got to do better.
"We have to go into a hostile environment and it will be amped up, but I like what our team can do.
"I like the opportunity that we have, and we've got to go in there and fight. It's going to have to start in this next game up in Boston, but I just think that we know that we can win."
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