HEAT TAKE GAME ONE ON BUTLER SIZZLER

MIAMI (AFP) – 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 Tuesday.

Butler led display an a revitalized eight-point as the Miami Heat halfsecond-half transformed time 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 lead in the best-of-seven series. gave Herro, with renewed Butler half, Jayson the But 17 with with Eastern received the points. Tatum defensive the win 18 Heat and Conference points, owed scoring forcing shutting effort as and support much a top series down in Gabe the seeds to from of Boston’s Miami’s Vincent second crucial Tyler a 1-0 at game. turnovers halftime,” “The guys and Miami were 11 just blocks coach really throughout Erik disappointed Spoelstra the Everyone said. “I barely was just needed really disappointed to say anything. at our defensive praising the focus leadership and effort,” of Butler added during Spoelstra, the third-quarter blitz.

“Jimmy just inspired everybody in that third quarter,” Spoelstra said.

“Every time and pocket in the game when we needed control, or to get the right shot, or make the right decision, Jimmy had his fingerprints to half. go Butler back said to on basics Miami it.” in had the decided second learn mistakes,” “Keep to the capitalize Butler game said. easy, off “That’s simple, their what half. I changed didn’t change in the anything. second I continued to play basketball the right way. Shoot the ball when I’m open, hit the open guy.” The Celtics shrugged off the injury absence of Marcus Smart and Al Horford (COVId-19 protocol) to look the sharper side in the first half, taking a 10-4 lead in the opening minutes. Miami were initially unable to cope with the movement of Tatum, who bagged a careerhigh 21 points in the opening two quarters, shooting nine-of-14 from the field. Boston led by as much as 13 at one stage in the second quarter before Miami trimmed the deficit to eight points at the interval. Robert Williams, starting in place of Horford, also delivered a big first-half performance with 5-of-5 shooting for 12 points as well as two crucial blocks to deny Miami. But it was a different story after the break as Miami out-hustled the Celtics defensively while raining down a deluge of buckets. An incredible 22-2 run changed the complexion of the game and powered Miami into a 12-point lead at 76-64.