By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Jimmy 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 on Wednesday night.
Miami trailed by nine at the half before an amazing comeback 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.
“I’m playing at an incredible level because they are allowing me to do so,” Butler said after the game, giving credit to his teammates. “They are not putting a limit on my game. They are trusting me with the ball, on the defensive end. I think that’s what any basketball player wants.”
Bam Adebayo added 20 points and eight rebounds. Kyle Lowry, Caleb Martin, Gabe Vincent and Max Strus all added 15 points apiece. 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. Jaylen Brown finished with 22 points and nine rebounds. Malcolm Brogdon added 19 points.
Boston is just 4-4 at home during this postseason.
“I don’t know why,” Tatum said of their home struggles. “You’ve still got to play the game, you’ve got to make plays, regardless of whether you’re home or away.”