The Miami Heat seized control at TD Garden, turning in a formidable road performance that handed the Celtics a 123-116 defeat in the opener. Led by a vintage display from Jimmy Butler, who finished with 35 points, 5 rebounds, 7 assists and 6 steals, Miami built momentum on both ends of the floor. Bam Adebayo contributed 20 points and 8 rebounds, while the contributions from Max Strus, Caleb Martin, and Kyle Lowry—each reaching the double-digit mark with 15 points in Lowry’s case— helped steady the visitors in the early stages of the series.
In Boston, the damage was not for lack of effort. Jayson Tatum poured in 30 points, but the tide remained with Miami as the Heat controlled the proceedings for much of the night. Jaylen Brown tallied 22 points with 9 rebounds and 5 assists, Malcolm Brogdon added 19, and Robert Williams supplied 14 points and 7 boards. Marcus Smart contributed 13 points and 11 assists, yet the Celtics could not sustain the late surge needed to overturn the deficit. By the end of the late stretch, Miami had established a comfortable distance that proved tough for Boston to erase.
The game opened with a tight, balanced feel as both teams slogged through disciplined defense and efficient offense. Early exchanges were marked by physicality and smart rotations, with neither squad able to pull away. Boston’s second quarter plan became evident: attack the Heat’s backline with a blend of drive-and-kick plays and timely three-pointers, a strategy that kept the game within reach at halftime. The Celtics trailed by a slim margin at the break, signaling intent but not yet a decisive edge.
The third period shifted the momentum decisively. Miami unleashed a scoring burst that overwhelmed Boston, posting a 46-25 advantage in the frame. The Heat converted at a higher clip, found rhythm in transition, and exposed weaknesses in Boston’s interior defense. By the start of the final period, Miami had built a double- digit lead, and the crowd at TD Garden watched as the visitors extended their advantage, signaling the level of control that would define the match as the series moved deeper into its course.
The fourth quarter became a test of Boston’s resolve. The Celtics attempted to rally, tightening their defense and pushing the pace to close the gap. Yet Miami’s perimeter shooting and Butler’s decision-making kept them ahead, and the short bursts of offense from Boston could not sustain enough pressure to erase the deficit. Butler continued to shepherd the Heat, dictating pace and extracting timely baskets from mid-range and beyond the arc, while his teammates provided the necessary support to keep the defense honest and the lead intact.
With the series shifting back to TD Garden for the next games, Boston will look to reclaim home-court advantage, while Miami aims to maintain the momentum that powered them through the opening clash. The schedule then returns to Florida as the Eastern Conference finals conversation intensifies, and both teams prepare to translate this initial performance into sustained effort and strategic adjustments for the remainder of the series.