BOSTON (AP) – Jimmy Butler literally took over the Celtics. Now, the Heat have returned home with an opportunity to seal their ticket to the NBA Finals there.
Butler scored 27 points, including a pair of consecutive baskets, to hold the Heat back by double digits in the fourth quarter as Miami took a 2-0 lead before defeating the Boston Celtics 111-105 on Friday night. Last.
In addition, Butler contributed eight rebounds, six assists and a spark after starting an argument with Grant Williams. Butler looked at the Boston player and both were called technical fouls.
Butler then added nine points during a 23–9 run that turned a nine-point deficit into a 105–100 lead.
“I knew it was going to be good for us,” said Caleb Martin, who came off the bench to add 25 points. “We love to annoy Jimmy anytime. You could see in his eyes that he was ready to shine after that.”
Bam Adebayo had 22 points, 17 rebounds and nine assists for Miami, the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference, which won both of its games in Boston.
Now is your chance to complete the sweep in your arena. The third game is scheduled for Sunday.
Williams said of Butler, “He’s going to take any tough shots the rest of the series.” “And I’m not going to look the other way, because I respect him as a damn player.”
Jason Tatum had 34 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists for Boston. However, the Celtics star missed all three of his shots and fumbled twice in the fourth quarter as his team blew an 89-77 lead and suffered their second home loss in three nights.
“It’s been tough, it’s been challenging, but there’s no point in being sad here,” Tatum said. They came here to win two matches and they did. You have to give them credit. But we’re not dead or anything like that. We have a great opportunity. I still believe. We have to be ready for the third game.”
Jaylen Brown had 16 points on 7-for-23 shooting. He went five for a fumble in the final quarter as Miami defeated Boston 36–22.
The Celtics had an 11-point lead in the third quarter and extended it to 12 in the fourth.
Wasn’t a problem for Miami.
