NBA Round up - Butler brings heat as Miami sink Boston in series opener

Jimmy Butler scored 41 points as the Miami Heat produced a devastating comeback to defeat the Boston Celtics 118-107 in their opening Eastern Conference finals series clash on Tuesday.

Butler led a revitalized Miami second-half display as the Heat transformed an eight-point half-time deficit into a double-digit lead against a depleted Celtics side at Miami's FTX Arena.

Trailing 62-54 at the break, Miami outscored the Celtics 39-14 in the third quarter to set up a victory that gives the Eastern Conference top seeds a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven series.

Butler received scoring support from Tyler Herro, with 18 points, and Gabe Vincent with 17 points.

But the win owed as much to Miami's renewed defensive effort in the second half, with the Heat shutting down Boston's Jayson Tatum and forcing a series of crucial turnovers and 11 blocks throughout the game.

"The guys were just really disappointed at half-time," Miami coach Erik Spoelstra said.

"I barely needed to say anything. Everyone was just really disappointed at our defensive focus and effort," added Spoelstra, praising the leadership of Butler during the third-quarter blitz.

"Jimmy just inspired everybody in that third quarter," Spoelstra said.

"Every time and pocket in the game when we needed control, or to get the right shot, or make the right decision, Jimmy had his fingerprints on it."

Butler said Miami had decided to go back to basics in the second half.

"Keep the game easy, simple, learn to capitalize off their mistakes," Butler said. "That's what changed in the second half. I didn't change anything. I continued to play basketball the right way. Shoot the ball when I'm open, hit the open guy."

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