The first round of the NBA Playoffs carries a bit of extra significance for these Boston Celtics, bringing another dance with their playoff rivals, the Miami Heat. After falling to Miami in last year’s Eastern Conference Finals, their quest for revenge got off to a good start. They ran up a massive lead on the Heat, and though Miami offered a brief fourth quarter threat behind a flurry of threes, the Celtics closed the door appropriately and walked away with a 114-94 win.
Jimmy Butler missed the contest for Miami, as he remained sidelined with an MCL injury that will most likely keep him out for the entire series.