The conference finals have started at the National Basketball Association (NBA) and have been successfully opened by the Miami Heat team.
Florida club in its arena 118:107 (25:28, 29:34, 39:14, 25:31) defeated the Boston Celtics.
The third quarter became the cornerstone of the match, with the Heat winning by as much as 25 points and breaking off convincingly (93:76). In the decisive quarter, it was enough to maintain the distance created.
The spectacular performance was staged after a long break Jimmy Butler, scored 41 points in 12 minutes (12/17 two-pointers, 0/2 three-pointers, 17/18 free throws), rebounded 9 and took 4 balls, made 5 assists, blocked 3 throws, made 2 mistakes and made 3 violations.
“I just kept playing basketball. I threw up when I was free, attacked, looked for free guys. “Sincerely, it was a team effort,” said the Heat leader about a better second half of the match.
Enviable efforts were also demonstrated Jayson Tatumas – 44 minutes, 29 points (8/12 two-pointers, 2/9 three-pointers, 7/9 free throws), 8 rebounds and 4 interceptions, 6 assists, block, 7 errors and fouls.
The Boston club did not have two major players – injured Marcus Smart and Al Horford.
The match was distinguished by the number of blocked throws. Celtics stopped its rivals 8 times, and the Heat stopped twelve.
The Miami team broke forward 1-0 in a series of up to four victories, with the second match also taking place in Florida.
„Celtics“: Jayson Tatum 29 (8 secs, 6 res. cam., 6/8 colon) and Payton Pritchard (4/11 colon) after 18, Daniel Theis 8, Grant Williams 7.
„Heat“: Jimmy Butler 41 (9th innings, 5 res., 17/18 penalties), Tyler Herro 18 (8th innings), Gabe Vincent 17 (3/7 three-point), Max Struss 11 (3/8 three-pointers), Bamas Adebayo 10.