Heat storm back to take Game 1 from Celtics in Eastern Conference Finals

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In this rematch of the Eastern Conference Finals from last season, the Miami Heat got the early edge with their 123-116 win in Game 1 of the series on the road against the Boston Celtics. 

The Celtics went into the locker room with the lead at halftime, but head coach Erik Spoelstra clearly made adjustments as they came out in the third quarter firing, erasing the deficit and eventually leading Boston’s head coach, Joe Mazzulla, to launch his clipboard in frustration during a timeout. 

The Heat outscored the Celtics 46-25 in the quarter, which allowed them to turn the tides on the road and eventually hold off the Celtics for the victory. 

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Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics walks backcourt during the third quarter of game one of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Miami Heat at TD Garden on May 17, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts.  (Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)

Miami has been hot since they made it as the final seed in the East, upsetting the top-seeded Milwaukee Bucks before taking down the New York Knicks in six games. They’ve now won Game 1 of each of their playoff series on the road this postseason. 

With their 103-91 lead going into the fourth quarter, the Heat knew that the Celtics weren’t going to lay down and take the loss. But Miami was able to stymie Jayson Tatum, Boston’s top scorer, holding him to just five shot attempts in the half, which is arguably Spoelstra’s best adjustment at the half. 

After Caleb Martin hit a corner three-pointer to make it a 117-110 late in the fourth, Tatum had back-to-back travels on the other end, which effectively ended the Celtics’