The Miami Heat regained the lead in the Eastern Conference finals of the NBA playoffs on Saturday. Traveling to Boston, the Florida franchise won Game 3 against the Celtics (109-103) and now leads by two wins to one. But Miami’s victory did not come without damage. The Heat was indeed deprived throughout the second period of its star player, Jimmy Butler, victim of an inflammation of the right knee.
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Lowry, Tatum and Smart also affected
To defeat the Celtics, who had inflicted a severe defeat in Game 2, Miami however produced a huge collective effort in the wake of Bam Adebayo, author of 31 points and 10 rebounds.
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Butler wasn’t the only player to suffer on Saturday. Miami point guard Kyle Lowry, who hadn’t played in two weeks, was still struggling with a hamstring. At the Celtics, Jayson Tatum was hit in the right shoulder and Marcus Smart screamed when his right ankle bent inside under the weight of Lowry. But the best defensive player of the season gritted his teeth to come back into play.
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In the first period, Jimmy Butler had time to score eight points, before leaving his teammates. Without its leader, Miami suffered greatly in the second act of Game 3, but nevertheless managed to go the distance. The start of the meeting was thunderous, since the Heat was well ahead at the end of the first quarter (39-18).
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23
The Boston Celtics suffered 23 loss of ball during Game 3. The Miami Heat was, suddenly, regaled in terms of interception, realizing 19. Record of the franchise in play-offs equaled.
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Adebayo, strongman of Miami
The Florida lead peaked at 26 units in the second quarter (46-20, 14th). Bam Adebayo, the pivot of Miami, had a lot to do with it, scoring 16 of his 31 points (15/22 on shots). Besides his 10 rebounds, he also delivered six assists and had four steals and one block. ” In the first two matches, my team depended on me and I didn’t show upcommented Adebayo, nevertheless put more to work on this meeting, after being underused. I took it upon myself to seek victory. »
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Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra also paid tribute to his pivot: He did in his own way what Jimmy (Butler) knows how to do, to enable us to win. And it didn’t just come down to scoring. He did a lot of things so that we stay well organized, to facilitate the game, while defending as he knows how to do against a team that offers a big challenge ».
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Brown untenable with Boston
The Boston Celtics were able to count on Jaylen Brown, untenable in the last quarter. He scored 14 points there, to finish the game with 40 units on the clock (14/20 on the shot), plus nine rebounds. Less than three minutes from the end, the Massachusetts franchise has thus picked up a point (93-92). But Miami guard Max Strus responded with a three-point shot, then Adebayo scored from the buzzer on 24 seconds, before PJ Tucker and Victor Oladipo – also outstanding in defense with four interceptions – came home from valuable free throws.
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The Heat therefore held on, without their two best gunners. In addition to Butler’s injury, Tyler Herro was very discreet with eight points scored (4/15 in the shoot), confirming his current difficulties. But Miami was able to count on Strus (16 pts) and Oladipo (17). And, opposite, Jayson Tatum, missed his match (10 points at 3/14). Al Horford (20 points, 14 rebounds) and Marcus Smart (16 points, seven assists) were however in support of Jaylen Brown. Game 4 will take place on Monday, still in Boston.
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