‍Jimmy Butler scored 41 points to lead the Miami Heat to a 118-107 victory over the Boston Celtics in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals. Butler finished with a stat line of 41/9/5/4/3, joining LeBron James as the only players with 40+ points, 5+ rebounds, 5+ assists, 4+ steals and 3+ blocks in a playoff game. 

Boston began the better team, with Miami missing on their first seven shot attempts. And despite the Heat getting hot midway through the first, the Celtics held a three-point advantage after one. 

Jayson Tatum appeared to be trying to score in the most difficult way possible throughout the first half, but it was working, his scoring allowing the visitors to lead by as many as 12 points in the 2 quarter. A sidestep three followed by a pair of free throws gave Tatum 21 first half points and gave Boston a 62-54 lead at the half.

The game was flipped on its head in the third quarter however, a pair of Jimmy Butler free throws to open the second half was a sign of things to come. The defence turned up a notch for Miami and their offense, led by Butler, clicked into gear. 

The Celtics did not score a field goal in the opening 7:07 of the quarter as the Heat built up a big lead. Another pair of free throws from Butler, gave him 17 in the period and closed out a 39-point quarter for Miami. With Jayson Tatum looking a shadow of his first half self, committing 6 turnovers, and scoring just three points (0 FG’s).

After extending their lead to 20 points early in the fourth, Boston began to eat into their advantage, cutting it in half with Butler on the bench. However, on his first play back Butler hit a fadeaway jump shot to stop the bleeding. 

13 fourth quarter points from Jaylen Brown kept the Celtics in touch and when Payton Pritchard hit a three with 1:28 remaining the Heat’s lead was just 7 points but that was as good as it got. A Butler layup fittingly completed the scoring on a great night for the 32-year-old.

Gabe Vincent finished with 17 points, while Tyler Herro added 18/8/3 off the bench. Tatum leading the way for Boston with 29/8/6/4, Brown adding 24 points and 10 rebounds. 

Minus the 3 quarter, Boston outscored Miami 93-79 in Game 1. Which makes you think ‘does Jimmy Butler have to play this well every night for Miami to win this series?’

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