The Miami Heat have taken a 1-0 lead over the Boston Celtics in their best-of-seven Eastern Conference Finals series thanks to a 123-116 win at TD Garden today.
Jimmy Butler’s sensational playoff run continued with the six-time All-Star putting up 35 points, five rebounds, seven assists and six steals.
He joins Gary Payton, Michael Jordan, and Rick Barry as the only players in league history to put up those marks in a playoff game.
Five other Heat players finished with 15 or more points; Bam Adebayo led the way among the supporting cast with 20 points, eight rebounds, and five assists and finished a game-high +18.
Kyle Lowry, Max Strus, Gabe Vincent and Caleb Martin all scored exactly 15 points each in what was a proper team effort by Miami.
Both teams traded buckets early before an extended 30-17 Celtics run opened them up a 13-point lead late in the second quarter.
Miami responded with a dominant third period in which they outscored the Celtics by 21.
The Celtics held the Heat to just 20 fourth-quarter points, but a handful of late threes sunk the home team’s chances as Erik Spoelstra’s men snuck out of Boston with a crucial win.
Boston dominated the paint battle 62-40 but gave up 26 points off turnovers and allowed the Heat to shoot 54% from the field and 52% from three.
The Celtics were led by Jayson Tatum’s 30 points and seven rebounds whilst Jaylen Brown added 22 points, nine rebounds, and five assists.
Sixth Man of the Year recipient Malcolm Brogdon put up 19 points on 7-of-14 shooting whilst Marcus Smart had 13 points and 11 assists.
Both teams will be given a day off before facing off in a key Game 2 on Saturday again in Boston.
