Vincent shines as Miami Heat open Eastern Conference Finals with win in Game 1
Horford, Smart miss absent as Heat open series with win
After overcoming the Philadelphia 76ers and Milwaukee Bucks respectively, the Miami Heat and the Boston Celtics locked horns in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals in what was a repeat of the 2019 Finals, and the Heat claimed a 118-107 win in the game.
Despite being without the injured duo of Marcus Smart and Al Horford, the Boston Celtics were quickly out of the blocks in the game as they won both the first and second quarters to go into half-time with a 62-54 lead over the Miami Heat.
Miami Heat came back and effectively won the game with a third-quarter blitz that saw them win the third quarter by a 25 point margin, giving them an unassailable lead going into the fourth quarter, which the Celtics won.
Jimmy Butler led the scoring for the Heat with 41 points on the night, and Sixth Man of the Year Tyler Herro added 18 points for the Heat. D’Tigers star Gabe Vincent contributed 17 points for his side in the game. For the Celtics, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown scored a combined 53 points in the game.
Both sides will face each other in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals series on Thursday.
