116-123: Butler conquers Boston and the Heat regain home court factor

Jimmy Butler signed another sensational game this Wednesday and the Miami Heat stormed Boston to take advantage against the Celtics and recover the home court factor in the Eastern final (116-123, 0-1 in the series).

Butler's splendid performance in these playoffs continued in his debut against the Celtics with a record of 35 points (12-of-25 shooting), 5 rebounds, 7 assists and 6 steals (against only 3 turnovers).

Led by Butler, Miami sealed a very solvent performance in Boston with six players over 10 points and where Bam Adebayo stood out with 20 points and 8 rebounds.

The Heat's supporting players again responded wonderfully, so much so that Max Strus, Gabe Vincent, Caleb Martin and Kyle Lowry finished with 15 points apiece.

Two statistics caught the attention of this game: Miami's extraordinary 3-point success (16 of 31) and the overwhelming 25-46 that the Heat achieved in the third period.

For their part, the Celtics went through many ups and downs throughout the night and paid dearly for their irregularity.

Jayson Tatum (30 points and 7 rebounds) and Jaylen Brown (22 points and 9 rebounds) were the top scorers for some Celtics with six players in double-digit scoring and who did not have their day on the perimeter (10 of 29 in triples). .

Dominican Al Horford added 7 points, 6 rebounds and 2 assists.

Reissue of the 2022 Eastern Final, which ended with a victory for the Celtics in seven games, this series will continue in Boston on Friday with the second game.

BRIGHT BUTLER, ROCKY HEAT

The Heat made it clear from the beginning of the series that they are going to be a very tough, fighting and tough team.

Butler shone with 12 points in the first quarter but Boston, with Tatum in front and a more choral and balanced contribution from his teammates, went into the second period with a minimal advantage (30-28).

Butler's stretches on the bench are going to be a very demanding test for the Heat, but Lowry, spectacular with 13 points in just over five minutes (including three triples), fueled the visiting offense during the break of his star (42- 44 with 6.32 on the clock).

However, the Celtics then showed their best version hitting the paint (40 points at halftime attacking the rim), adjusting their defense against a suddenly disconnected Heat and with a tremendously successful Smart in distribution (10 assists in the first half).

Thus, Boston signed a great partial of 24-13, came to have a +13 and went to the locker room with good feelings and a solid 66-57 on the scoreboard.

Tatum stood out at home with 18 points in the first two quarters along with a perfect Robert Williams in the paint (12 points on 5 of 5 shooting).

The wind changed direction again at the restart and blew in favor of Miami.

Adebayo roared inside, Strus was a sharpshooter on the perimeter and the Heat, with renewed energy on both sides of the track, tied the game in just over three minutes (72-72 after a 6-15 run). .

Very disorderly and with an absolute lack of delivery, the Celtics lowered their arms on defense and Miami put on their boots with an impressive 25-46 in that third period to reach the outcome with a resounding 91-103.

Those 46 points set a new quarter-high for Florida in a playoff game.

Between Strus (13 points) and Butler (12) they added the same points in that quarter as the entire Boston team, but also Erik Spoelstra's men had crucial contributions from Adebayo or Kevin Love to reach a splendid 65.4% effectiveness in that room.

An angry Joe Mazzulla threw a slate to the ground in a timeout and his players got the message and jumped into the fourth quarter with the knife between their teeth.

A 7-0 run in 90 seconds, with Williams pressing in defense, restored the faith of the locals with a whole world ahead of them.

Brown and Tatum recovered the aggressiveness in the paint of the Celtics and the Heat entrusted themselves to a fabulous Butler in the middle distance and also very active on defense.

However, Tatum racked up three turnovers down the stretch and Miami hit two 3-pointers by Martin and Butler to cap off a great road win.