Heat Pull Upset, Take Game 1 Against Celtics
The Miami Heat defeated the Boston Celtics, 123-116, at TD Garden in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals on Wednesday. The Heat leads the series 1-0.
The Heat and the Celtics opened the Eastern Conference Finals with a thrilling matchup. Miami entered this game as a heavy underdog. Still, it was the far more rested team, as Boston needed seven games to eliminate the Philadelphia 76ers in the previous round, while Miami defeated the New York Knicks in six. It didn’t show in the early stages of the game, however, as the Celtics raced to a 30-28 lead in the first quarter. The Heat kept things close and never looked overmatched, but Boston started to pull away after a 36-29 score in the second quarter. However, the Heat started the second half with a different mentality, and it showed. The Heat tightened things up on both ends of the court and turned things around following a 46-25 score in the third quarter, going from a nine-point deficit to a 12-point lead with only 12 minutes left. The Celtics woke up in the fourth, but it was too late to mount a comeback. Boston won the final period by a 25-20 score, and Miami cruised to a seven-point victory. Game 2 will be played at TD Garden on Friday.
Jimmy Butler dominated on both ends of the court, putting up 35 points, seven assists, six steals and five rebounds to lead the Heat’s win. Bam Adebayo had 20 points, eight rebounds and five assists. Gabe Vincent and Max Strus each finished with 15 points and three rebounds. Vincent also added two assists and a steal. Kyle Lowry and Cody Martin chipped in with 15 points and three assists off the bench each. Martin also grabbed four rebounds.
Jayson Tatum led the way for the Celtics with 30 points and seven rebounds. Jaylen Brown had 22 points, nine rebounds and five assists. Marcus Smart delivered a 13-point, 11-assist double-double that also included two steals. Robert Williams III posted 14 points and seven rebounds. Malcolm Brogdon had 19 points and two boards. Derrick White finished with 11 points.
The Heat and the Celtics opened the Eastern Conference Finals with a thrilling matchup. Miami entered this game as a heavy underdog. Still, it was the far more rested team, as Boston needed seven games to eliminate the Philadelphia 76ers in the previous round, while Miami defeated the New York Knicks in six. It didn’t show in the early stages of the game, however, as the Celtics raced to a 30-28 lead in the first quarter. The Heat kept things close and never looked overmatched, but Boston started to pull away after a 36-29 score in the second quarter. However, the Heat started the second half with a different mentality, and it showed. The Heat tightened things up on both ends of the court and turned things around following a 46-25 score in the third quarter, going from a nine-point deficit to a 12-point lead with only 12 minutes left. The Celtics woke up in the fourth, but it was too late to mount a comeback. Boston won the final period by a 25-20 score, and Miami cruised to a seven-point victory. Game 2 will be played at TD Garden on Friday.
Jimmy Butler dominated on both ends of the court, putting up 35 points, seven assists, six steals and five rebounds to lead the Heat’s win. Bam Adebayo had 20 points, eight rebounds and five assists. Gabe Vincent and Max Strus each finished with 15 points and three rebounds. Vincent also added two assists and a steal. Kyle Lowry and Cody Martin chipped in with 15 points and three assists off the bench each. Martin also grabbed four rebounds.
Jayson Tatum led the way for the Celtics with 30 points and seven rebounds. Jaylen Brown had 22 points, nine rebounds and five assists. Marcus Smart delivered a 13-point, 11-assist double-double that also included two steals. Robert Williams III posted 14 points and seven rebounds. Malcolm Brogdon had 19 points and two boards. Derrick White finished with 11 points.