The Miami Heat topped the Boston Celtics 123-116 last night in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals.
Jimmy Butler scored 35 points, including 20 after halftime, and the Heat rallied in the second half to jump out to a 1-0 series lead.
Miami trailed by nine at the half before turning it around with a franchise playoff-record 46 points in the third and outscoring second-seeded Boston 66-50 over the final two quarters. It was Butler’s fifth game with 30 or more points this postseason and he added seven assists, six steals and five rebounds.
The No. 8-seeded Heat have opened all three playoff series with road victories. Game 2 is tomorrow in Boston.