Butler did it: Miami sinks Boston in finals opener
JIMMY Butler scored 41 points as the Miami Heat produced a devastating comeback to defeat the Boston Celtics 118-107 in their opening Eastern Conference finals series clash on Wednesday.
Butler led a revitalised Miami second-half display as the Heat transformed an eight-point halftime deficit into a double-digit lead against a depleted Celtics side at Miami’s FTX Arena.
Trailing 62-54 at the break, Miami outscored the Celtics 39-14 in the third quarter to set up a victory that gives the Eastern Conference top seed a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven series.
Butler received scoring support from Tyler Herro with 18 points and Gabe Vincent with 17.
But the win owed as much to Miami’s renewed defensive effort in the second half.
The Heat shut down Boston’s Jayson Tatum and forced a series of crucial turnovers.
“The guys were really disappointed at halftime,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. “I barely needed to say anything. Everyone was just really disappointed at our defensive focus and effort.”
Spoelstra praised the leadership of Butler in the third quarter.
“Jimmy just inspired everybody in that third quarter,’’ he said. “Every time in the game when we needed control, or to get the right shot, or make the right decision, Jimmy had his fingerprints on it.”