A brilliant third quarter from the Miami Heat saw Erik Spoelstra’s team take Game 1 over the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference Finals. Now it’s on to Game 2 tomorrow.
In Game 1, Miami’s Jimmy Butler led the way with 35 points while five other players had at least 15. Despite trailing by nine at halftime, they outscored the Celtics 46-25 in the third and held off the Celtics in the fourth to win.
Boston got some strong performances from most of their stars too though. 30 points from Jayson Tatum, 22 from Jaylen Brown and 19 points from Malcolm Brogdon off the bench almost got the job done.
But now the Celtics have what is effectively a must-win home game in order to avoid falling into an 0-2 hole before even stepping onto the plane to South Beach.
ESPN’s computer model has released its prediction for Game 2.
ESPN’s computer model believes that Boston has this game secured. The computer model gives the Celtics an 84.4-percent chance to win this Friday’s game.
The Celtics are just four wins away from returning to the NBA Finals for the second year in a row, while the Heat are hoping to get their for the sixth time under head coach Erik Spoelstra.
This series is just going to keep getting better.
Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals will be on Friday at 8:30 pm ET and will air on TNT.