The Miami Heat took the lead in the first game of the Eastern Conference finals, making a massive rally in the final period and going through overtime. In the end, they would beat the Boston Celtics, 117-114, getting out as the winners from one roller-coaster match.
Bam Adebayo secured the win for Erik Spoelstra’s guys, blocking Jayson Tatum‘s dunking attempt just before the end of the OT. At that point, the result was 116-114 for the Heat. He would then hit one free throw to extend the edge.
On the other side, Tatum tried to tie it with a three-pointer, but his attempt was inaccurate, and Miami’s bench ran into the court to celebrate. Previously, Jimmy Butler had a massive three-point play, with 12 seconds to go, once he drew out Tatum’s foul and scored to push the Heat ahead.
Boston opened the game with 8 unanswered points and had a 24-11 lead until 4:18 to go until the end of the first. The Heat responded, dropping 37 points in the second and taking the lead at one moment, but both sides went to a break leveled at 65.
The Celtics closed the third sequence with a 13-2 run, limiting Miami to just 16 points in that one, to take the 83-71 lead before entering the finals period.
In a crazy finish, Miami rallied back, even took the lead with Goran Dragic’s jumper 22 seconds before the end for 106-105. Miami’s Derrick Jones Jr. was called for an away-from-the-play foul, Tatum sunk one free throw for the win, and after that had one more three-point buzzer-beater attempt, but without success.
Dragic had 29 points and seven boards, Jae Crowder 22, hitting five threes, with five boards. Jimmy Butler scored 20 with five boards and assists, while Bam Adebayo ended the night with 18 points, six boards, and nine assists.
Tyler Herro was one assist shy of reaching a triple-double with 12 buckets, 11 boards, and nine passes before a point.
On the other side, Jayson Tatum had 30 points, 14 boards, five assists, and three steals in 43 minutes on the floor. Marcus Smart had 26, hitting six threes in 13 tries, while Jaylen Brown scored 17.
Kemba Walker had 19 buckets and six assists, but with just one three in nine shots, being pale overall one again. Brad Wannamaker added 11 off the bench with six assists and five steals.
Game 2 of the series is on Thursday.