Miami Heat Take 2-0 Lead In East Finals As Celtics Fall Apart Late

(CTN News) – With Jimmy Butler competing head-to-head with the Boston Celtics, the Miami Heat have a shot at reaching the NBA finals.

Miami Heat beat Boston 111-105 Friday night as Butler scored 27 points, hitting back-to-back baskets to tie the game.

As well as providing eight rebounds and six assists, Butler provided a spark when Boston’s Grant Williams began jawing at him: Butler stared Williams down, drawing both technical fouls.

In a 23-9 run, ‘Jimmy Buckets’ scored nine points to turn a nine-point deficit into a 105-100 victory.

Caleb Martin’s 25-point performance off the bench convinced him of the team’s decision. I’ll take mad Jimmy any time.”. His eyes said it all.”

With a shot to reach the NBA finals for the second time, the Miami Heat returned home with a 22-point performance from Bam Adebayo, 17 rebounds, and nine assists.

Sunday night is Miami Heat Game 3.

“He has to make every shot,” Williams said. He is the only player I respect.”

For Boston, Jayson Tatum scored 34 points, grabbed 13 rebounds, and dished out eight assists. Boston blew an 89-77 lead in the fourth quarter when the star went 0 for 3 with two turnovers.

After finishing 13 games ahead of the Miami Heat in the regular season and then defeating top-seeded Milwaukee in the first round, the Celtics looked to be on their way to their second straight NBA Finals.

It’s a challenge. This is a challenge. “But it’s not worth it to be up here sad and (stuff),” Tatum said. “They won two games.”. Well done. We’re not dead or anything. We have a great opportunity. Still, I am confident. Everyone has the utmost confidence.

Game 3 is just around the corner.”

He was 1 for 5 with a turnover in the final quarter, when the Miami Heat outscored Boston 36-22.

I love having dogs around. It’s all fantastic,” Butler said on the postgame television broadcast. There is no such thing as a quitter among guys. There is no giving up for us. Playing with each other is our favorite thing to do. There is so much trust and faith between us.”

It was 11 points for the Celtics in the third quarter and 12 points early in the fourth. While walking back down the court, Williams made a three-pointer to make it 96-87. When Butler scored at the other end, Williams fouled him. The two players leaned into each other, drawing double technical fouls.

“A little healthy competition.”. That’s the truth. There should be healthy competition. And I’m in love with it. It’s always a pleasure to compete with you. It’s nice to talk sometimes,” Butler said. “I’m fine with a win as long as we get the job done.”

Brown said, “Next question.” Butler said that the attempt to get him off his game actually fired him up.

“Yes, it did,” Butler replied. That’s just good old-fashioned competition. I started talking to him after he hit a big shot. However, I like it. Competition is all it is. It pushes the desire to win. This makes me smile. … Just don’t know if I’m the best person to talk to.”

Butler drove to the basket after Miami Heat Tatum missed a long distance three in the fourth quarter, giving Boston a four-point lead. On a missed three-pointer, Butler stepped on Marcus Smart and was called for an offensive foul.

Despite Erik Spoelstra’s challenge, the Heat lost.

In response, Butler spoke.

Miami Heat took the lead after he hit a 17-footer to tie it 100-all. With less than a minute to play, Adebayo scored on a putback dunk after Max Strus made one of two free throws.

Spoelstra said he liked Jimmy’s gnarly side. That’s still yours regardless. There is a greater awareness now, I think. … Jimmy is just a true competitor.”

In the first quarter, Boston went from an eight-point deficit to an 11-point lead with a 21-2 run.

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