Jimmy Brings the Heat 🔥

05/18/2023

By: Jeff Yoder

Jimmy Butler (35-7-6-5) Leads Heat to 3rd-Quarter Rally, Game 1 Win Over Celtics (123-116)

The Eastern Conference Finals began with a bang on Wednesday night as the Heat and Celtics tipped off a scintillating series. Game 1? That belonged to Jimmy Butler, A.K.A. “Jimmy Playoffs.” With Miami on the road in Boston, repping the 8-seed underdog mentality they have all postseason, Butler spearheaded a third-quarter comeback where the Heat outscored the Celtics by 21 (46-25). That change in the scoreline was enough to give Miami a foothold, and they hung on for a narrow win behind a dagger 3 from Jimmy with a minute to go. Butler was downright lethal on both ends of the floor. He poured in 35 points, 5 rebounds, 7 assists, and 6 steals. Erik Spoelstra’s squad is dialed in, and we’re in for a fun series on the east coast.

Fun Fact: The Heat are looking to become the second 8-seed to ever reach the NBA Finals (1999 Knicks). No 8-seed — or 7-seed, for that matter (Lakers in the West) — has won the NBA Finals.

Eastern Conference Finals

Gm 1: Heat def. Celtics (123-116) | MIA Leads (1-0)

Heat Top Performers

Jimmy Butler: 35 points, 5 rebounds, 7 assists, 6 steals

Bam Adebayo: 20 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists

4 Players With 15 Each (Lowry, Martin, Vincent & Strus)

Celtics Top Performers

Jayson Tatum: 30 points, 7 rebounds

Jaylen Brown: 22 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists

Marcus Smart: 13 points, 11 assists

Tonight (Western Conference Finals)

Gm 2: Lakers at Nuggets (8:30 pm ET) | DEN Leads (1-0)

B/R: Tatum, Celtics Lose Game 1 as Fans Stunned by Defensive Struggles

Image via Giphy