False start for our champion hope Daniel Theis.
With his Boston Celtics, the German lost 118 to 107 in the Conference Finals game at the Miami Heat on Wednesday night.
With 41 points, Jimmy Butler was the outstanding playe for the Florida team.
The Celtics had to do without two of their stars. Al Horford is in the league’s Corona protocol, Marcus Smart injured his foot in the decisive game seven of the quarterfinal series against defending champion Milwaukee Bucks. Despite this, the Celtics led at the break after a strong first half.
The third quarter was decisive, however, in which Miami turned an eight-point deficit into a 17-point lead. For seven minutes, Boston didn’t score from the field.
In the final quarter, Boston could no longer come close, also because Butler in particular always had an answer ready, both offensively and defensively.
Germany international Daniel Theis scored eight points for Boston in almost 20 minutes of play.
Game two of the best-of-seven series will take place again in Miami on Friday night. In the final of the Western Conference, starting Wednesday evening (local time), the Golden State Warriors will meet the Dallas Mavericks with German international Maxi Kleber.