Jimmy Butler scored 27 of his 41 points in the second half, and a huge third quarter by the Heat carried them to win over the short-handed Boston Celtics 118-107 in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals on Tuesday night at American Airlines arena.
Tyler Herro scored 18 and Gabe Vincent added 17 for the Heat, who opened the second half on a 22-2 run, en route to a 39-14 third quarter spurt to effectively shift game one. Butler had 17 alone in the third, outscoring the Celtics by himself over those 12 minutes.
Along with the 41 points, the rest of Butler’s line consisted of nine rebounds, five assists, four steals and three blocked shots.
Max Strus scored 11 and Bam Adebayo added 10 for Miami.
This game one win was reminiscent of the last two rounds for the top seeded Heat, who took advantage of the hapless Hawks in five and the Joel Emblid-less 76ers for a quick 2-0 lead which they maintained in the 4-2 series victory that set up this clash with the Celtics.
Jayson Tatum scored 29 for the Celtics, who were without starters Marcus Smart (foot) and Al Horford (health and safety protocols). Yet even shorthanded, Boston threw a scare into Miami, as they went on a 20-7 run for a quick halftime lead, which was a testament to their first round sweep over the title-favored Brooklyn Nets, and seven game series victory over Giannis Antentakumpo( According to ESPN Stats & Info, Antetokounmpo is the first player in NBA history to post 200 points, 100 rebounds and 50 assists in a single series. In addition, he finished the postseason by averaging 31.67 points, 14.1 rebounds and 6.75 assists across the 12 playoff games his Bucks played. He is therefore the first player in NBA history to average a 31-14-6 line across an entire postseason.) and
the reigning champion Milwaukee Bucks in round two.
Boston led by 13 in the first half and took a 62-54 lead into halftime. A 22-2 run was how Miami started the second half, the run punctuated by steals that led to baskets on three consecutive possessions. Max Strus had one, the next two by Butler pushed the lead out to 76-64, and the Heat were off and running.
The lead reached 96-76 when Herro was fouled on a 3-point try and made all three free throws early in the fourth.
Boston had a run left; a 10-0 spurt cut the deficit in half, and a 3-pointer from Jayson Tatum(24 points on the night) made it a nine-point game — outcome still very much in doubt — with 7:35 left.
But the Heat had a response. PJ Tucker answered Tatum’s 3 with one of his own. Brown then connected from deep to get Boston within single digits again, only to have that one answered by a 3 from Strus, who unfortunately will be sidelined for a while with a hamstring injury. Game two will be Thursday night where the expectation is for the Celtics to bounce back with a more disciplinary approach on both sides of the basketball.
Comments