MIAMI (SNN-TV) – Jimmy Butler scored 27 of his 41 points in the second half, and a huge third quarter by the Heat carried them to a 118-107 win over the short-handed Boston Celtics in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals last night.
Tyler Herro scored 18 and Gabe Vincent added 17 for the Heat, who outscored Boston 39-14 in the third quarter. Butler had 17 alone in the third, outscoring the Celtics by himself over those 12 minutes.
Jayson Tatum scored 29 for the Celtics, who were without starters Marcus Smart and Al Horford. Miami’s Kyle Lowry will be out for Game 2, which is set for tomorrow at 8:30pm.