Butler scores 35 as Heat rally past Celtics in Eastern Conference finals opener

Jimmy Butler scored 35 points, including 23 after halftime, and the visiting Miami Heat rallied in the second half to beat the Boston Celtics 123-116 in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals on Wednesday night.

Bam Adebayo added 20 points and eight rebounds. Kyle Lowry, Caleb Martin and Gabe Vincent and Max Strus all added 15 points apiece. The Heat went 16 of 31 from the three-point line.

The No. 8-seeded Heat have opened all three playoff series with road victories. Game 2 is Friday in Boston.

Jimmy Butler leads the #8 seed <a href="https://twitter.com/MiamiHEAT?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MiamiHEAT</a> to a road win in Game 1 of the ECF!<br><br>35 PTS<br>7 AST <br>6 STL (Playoff career high)<br><br>