The Boston Celtics led throughout Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals, but the Miami Heat made the clutch shots down the stretch to open the series with an overtime win Tuesday night.
Jimmy Butler hit a massive 3-point shot to put the Heat up 106-105 with 22 seconds left in the fourth quarter. The Celtics tied the score on the ensuing possession when Marcus Smart was fouled before the ball was inbounded and Jayson Tatum shot a free throw. Tatum missed on a buzzer-beater attempt from 3-point range at the end of regulation.
The C's jumped out to a 110-106 advantage in overtime, then the Heat went on a 7-0 run that gave them the lead. Kemba Walker hit a clutch mid-range shot to give Boston a 114-113 advantage with 23 seconds left in overtime, but Butler came back down and scored, plus a foul, to put Miami back up 116-114 with 12 seconds remaining.
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Jayson Tatum drove to the basket on Boston's second-to-last possession of overtime but was met at the rim by Bam Adebayo, who made a highlight-reel block to deny the C's star.
Bad shot selection and waiting too long in the shot clock to get the offense going were huge issues for the Celtics in the fourth quarter and overtime.
Goran Dragic led the Heat with 29 points, while Tatum paced the Celtics with 30.
FINAL SCORE: Heat 117, Celtics 114
Boston Celtics
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SERIES: 1-0 Heat
HIGHLIGHTS
Marcus Smart scored the first five points of the game.
Daniel Theis gets the block on one end and a dunk on the other.
Jayson Tatum versus Tyler Herro is a good matchup for the C's.
Goran Dragic was the catalyst behind the Heat's second quarter run.
Brad Wanamaker drives to the basket and scores, plus the foul.
Kemba Walker hits a tough 3-pointer with the shot clock winding down.
Marcus Smart's hot outside shooting from the second round has carried into the conference finals.
Jayson Tatum's step back 3-pointer is so difficult to defend.
Jaylen Brown connects from behind the arc.
Bam Adebayo slams it down in the paint.
Tyler Herro pulls the Heat within two late in the fourth quarter.
Jimmy Butler hit a 3-pointer to put the Heat up 106-105 with 22 seconds left in regulation.
Jimmy Butler's and-1 gave the Heat a lead late in OT.
Bam Adebayo's block sealed the win.
UP NEXT
The Celtics and Heat will resume the conference finals in Game 2 on Thursday night. Tip off is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET.
