The Boston Celtics, filled with anticipation, awaited their opponent as the NBA Play-in tournament came to a close. The Miami Heat emerged as their challengers, a team they seemed to have been eagerly anticipating.
Jayson Tatum notched his first career playoff triple-double with 23 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists to lead Boston past the Miami Heat 114-94 on Sunday to open their first-round playoff series.
Miami spoiled the Celtics’ NBA finals dreams last season, jumping out to a 3-0 lead in the conference finals and blowing them out in Boston in Game 7.
“It was real simple, just making the right play,” Tatum said. “We talk about all the time about not getting bored making the right play. Finding the mix match and surrounding yourself with shooters. “
Celtics were on fire, tying a franchise playoff record with 22 3-pointers and outscoring the Heat 31-14 in the third quarter.
Bam Adebayo scored 24 points for the Heat, which played for the second straight game without star Butler following his right knee injury during the play-in round. Terry Rozier also remained out with a neck injury.
“The start of the game was the icing for them,” Adebayo said. They got off to a large lead, and they held on to that throughout the game.”
Miami was notably limited to just five offensive rebounds.
Celtics beat the Heat in all three regular-season meetings this season, including a 33-point defeat in Miami.
Game two is Wednesday in Boston.
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