BOSTON, MA (SNN-TV) – The Miami Heat were in need of a calming presence following a sluggish start to their latest conference finals showdown with the Boston Celtics. Jimmy Butler provided that and a lot more.
Butler scored 35 points, including 20 after halftime, and the Heat rallied in the second half to beat the Celtics 123-116 in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals last night. Miami trailed by nine at the half before turning it around with a franchise playoff-record 46 points in the third and outscoring Boston 66-50 over the final two quarters. It was Butler’s fifth game with 30 or more points this postseason and he added seven assists, six steals and five rebounds. Bam Adebayo added 20 points and eight rebounds, while the Heat went 16 of 31 from the 3-point line.
Jayson Tatum led the Celtics with 30 points, but didn’t take a shot in the fourth quarter.
The No. 8-seeded Heat have opened all three playoff series with road victories. Game 2 is tomorrow night in Boston.