Jimmy Butler Leads Miami Heat to Stunning Victory Over Boston Celtics in NBA Eastern Conference Finals
Key Highlights :
The Miami Heat stunned the Boston Celtics 111-105 in the NBA Eastern Conference finals on Friday night, taking a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series. Led by talisman Jimmy Butler, the eighth-seeded Heat overcame a nine-point deficit in the fourth quarter to pull off a miraculous victory at Boston's TD Garden.
Butler finished the game with 27 points, nine of which came during the fourth-quarter rally, and his leadership was evident throughout the game. After an angry nose-to-nose exchange with Boston's Grant Williams midway through the fourth quarter, Butler seemed to be fired up and led his team to a 20-9 run that sealed the victory for the Heat.
“We got some dogs, and I love it, I love every bit of it,” Butler said during an on-court interview after the game. “Guys never quit, guys never give up, we love playing with one another – we got so much faith and trust in one another.”
Butler received offensive support from Caleb Martin with 25 points off the bench, while Bam Adebayo delivered another all-round effort with 22 points, 16 rebounds and nine assists. Duncan Robinson added 15 points from the bench including three three-pointers.
A shellshocked Boston meanwhile were left reflecting on another shattering defeat at home despite 34 points from Jayson Tatum. Jaylen Brown finished with 16 points but had a wayward shooting night, making only 7-of-23 from the field, while Robert Williams III and Malcolm Brogdon had 13 points apiece.
The Heat's victory leaves the Celtics with a mountain to climb if they are to reach the NBA finals, with the series now heading to Miami for games three and four. Game three takes place in Miami on Sunday. With Butler leading the way, the Heat will be confident of completing the series sweep and returning to the NBA finals.
