The Eastern Conference Finals has started and it started with a bang in Game 1 of the best of 7 series between the Miami Heat and the Boston Celtics. Following the Heat eliminating the Milwaukee Bucks in the second round, the last time they played was September 8. They had 8 days of rest, as compared to the Celtics which had their second round series go the distance at 7 games, had a much little rest compared to the Heat.
As I have expected Miami was fresh and had a bit of rust going down double digits against the Celtics in the first quarter. The Celtics were in form and locked in at the start of the first quarter. The First quarter ended with a score of 26-18 in favor of the Celtics at the end of the first quarter.
The Heat then got their smooth engine running in the second quarter dropping down 37 points on the Celtics. The Heat outscored the Celtics 37-29 to tie the game at 55 at the end of the half.
After halftime the Celtics bounced back hard and were firing on all cylinders led by Marcus Smart. The Celtics scored 28 points in the third quarter, and held the Heat to just 16 points.
Onto the fourth quarter, The Celtics were leading 85-71 with 11 minutes left. I thought that this would be the match up that will compete with the Heat, after they breezed through the first and second round of the playoffs with ease.
After that huge lead of the Celtics, the Heat clawed their way back to the game scoring a barrage of three points shots, and with 40 seconds left in the game. Jae Crowder pulled a great defensive stop on Kemba Walker giving the Heat the possession and down 2.
After that, I had a strong feeling that it will be Jimmy Butler once again to get the needed buckets in the clutch. He is one of the most clutch players out there in my opinion, and he didn't disappoint in this one. With 22 seconds left on the game Butler hit a tough 3 point shot in the corner to put the Heat up 106-105. With that shot, the Heat sucked all the momentum on their side, only needing a stop to win game 1.
On the inbounds play though for the Celtics, Marcus Smart was fouled by Derrick Jones Jr. which sent Jayson Tatum to the line for 1 freethrow and tied the Game at 106! What a crazy game! All the pressure was on the Celtics to make the shot, and with that foul were given assurances that it will go to overtime if they missed. Tatum took the shot for the win but failed to convert. The game went to overtime.
During the start of the extension, the Celtics were pulling away early, but then Miami answered with a 7-0 run. With the game winding down, 24 seconds left Kemba Walker hit a jumper to give Boston the lead 114-113. With that time left, who would you expect to carry the Heat and deliver, you guessed it right it was Jimmy Buckets Butler once again. Butler drove to the basket with tough defense from Tatum, hitting the layup plus the foul! Wow, I was screaming after that shot!
Butler then sinked the free throw giving the lead to the Heat 115-114, with 12 seconds remaining. The Heat just needs a defensive stop to win the game. If it was Jimmy Butler in offence, for defense it was Bam Adebayo. Tatum drove to the basket and blew past Jimmy Butler, I though it's going to overtime once again. Tatum will dunk the ball and send it again to 2nd overtime. I was wrong Adebayo managed to block the shot with his left hand, denying the Celtics and coming away with the win with that clutch defensive play.
The Game ended with a score of 117-114 in favor of the Miami Heat.
Stats Section
HEAT
Goran Dragic - 29 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists
Jae Crowder - 22 points, 5 rebounds
Jimmy Butler - 20 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists
Bam Adebayo - 18 points, 6 rebounds, 9 assists
Tyler Herro - 12 points, 11 rebounds, 9 assists
CELTICS
Jayson Tatum - 30 points, 14 rebounds, 5 assists
Marcus Smart - 26 points, 3 rebounds
Kemba Walker - 19 points, 6 assists
Jaylen Brown - 17 points, 5 rebounds
Brad Wanamaker - 11 points, 6 assists
Final thoughts and predictions
What a roller coaster crazy game this is the types of games that fans love to watch where either team were so close to win it. Jimmy Butler really is a beast in crunch time delivering for the Heat when needed. The next game will be interesting, the loss would surely hurt the Celtics after getting close. Let's see if they bounce back, for Game 2 I will be going for a Heat win, they are in form, much more rested, and took the momentum with the game 1 win.
How about you who do you think will win Game 2? Let's discuss in the comments section below.