And here we go for the Conference Finals! Honor in the East with a first poster between Heat and Celtics at the FTX Arena in Miami. Carried by a gala Jimmy Butler and thanks to an incredible second half, the Floridians take the lead in this series (118-107).
For the stats of this match, please click on the magic link.
It’s hard not to be hyped when attacking this first duel between the leader and the second to the East. Bad news for the fans however, there will be fewer cams on the pitch than we imagined. If Kyle Lowry had been announced out, we learn an hour before the match the package of Marcus Smart but also that of Al Horford. The point guard had hurt his foot against Milwaukee and so he missed his turn while the veteran entered the COVID protocol and that could cause him to miss the second set as well. The double tile at the worst time for Boston… You would think that clubs would suffer from these packages but the start of the match is of quality for Ime Udoka’s men. The defense is still in tune, Robert Williams celebrates his return to the courts by dominating on both sides of the field while Jayson Tatum gently warms up. On the Miami side, we can say a big thank you to a Tyler Herro who is in the oven and in the mill as soon as he comes into play (7 points, 3 assists in the first quarter alone). Boston continues its work of undermining and regaling. The ball circulates beautifully, the defense holds, Payton Pritchard offers good minutes off the bench, Aaron Nesmith shares his hustle with us, Jayson Tatum puts on his Kobe Bryant cape. Shoot on one leg, 3-points despite a hand in front of his eyes, the Jay Brother is just indecent of ease and he is already at 21 points at the break. The Heat remain in the match thanks to the Butler-Herro duo but we already feel a real gap between the two teams despite eight points difference when returning to the locker room (62-54).
We don’t know what Erik Spoeltra could have said to his flock, but Miami is coming back much better in its game. The defense is super serious, all the duels are won, Gabe Vincent becomes unplayable, Jimmy Butler is in all the right moves. Boston totally drinks the fleet and takes a 22-2 in minutes. The match has completely changed its soul and it is the Heat that seems to be in charge now. Was Jayson Tatum hot in the first act? The South Beach defense will lock him in a box, starting with PJ Tucker and Jimmy Butler, his appointed jailers. Mister Buckets is not only incredible in defense, he is monstrous in attack. Always well placed, perfect for distributing play and creating shifts, ready to take advantage of mismatches to attack the circle and cause fouls, Jimmy carries all of Florida on his shoulders. It is still him who responds to the revolt of the Celtics in the money time to close the shop. A boss match for the All-Star winger (41 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 steals, 3 blocks, 12/19 shooting and 18/19 on the line!), one more in these 2022 Playoffs. Miami can savor a first win in this series.
The Heat had started their game badly but a third quarter of madness will have allowed the darlings of South Beach to return a Boston team which sank at the worst possible moment. 1-0 Miami, but the series promises to be long and thrilling.