MIAMI (CBSMiami) – The Boston Celtics defeated the Miami Heat 100-96 in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals to advance to the NBA Finals. Jayson Tatum led the way for the Celtics, scoring 26 points, grabbing 10 rebounds, and dishing out 6 assists. Jalen Brown and Marcus Smart each recorded 24 points. Jimmy Butler led the way for the Heat, scoring 35 points, shot 13-24 from the field, and grabbed 9 rebounds. Butler played all 48 minutes of Game 7, topping his 46-minute performance in Game 6. Kyle Lowry scored 15 points. Bam Adebayo recorded a double-double, scoring 25 points and grabbing 11 ..read more

MIAMI (AP) — Tyler Herro has recovered enough to play for the Miami Heat in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference finals Sunday night against the Boston Celtics. Herro missed the three previous games because of a groin injury. He went through a series of on-court tests Sunday before the determination was made that he could play. Herro was the NBA’s sixth man of the year award winner this season. He has averaged 13.5 points in the playoffs for the Heat on 41% shooting, down considerably from his regular-season numbers of 20.7 points on nearly 45% shooting. For the Celtics, defensive player of the ye ..read more

MIAMI (CBSMiami) – The NBA announced Saturday that it has fined the Miami Heat $25,000 for “violating league rules regarding team bench decorum.” “On multiple occasions, several players stood for an extended period in Miami’s team bench area, stood away from the team bench, and were on, encroaching upon or entering the playing court during live game action in the Heat’s 111-103 win over the Boston Celtics in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals on May 27 at TD Garden,” the league said in a statement. The Heat will host the Celtics in a decisive Game 7 of the Eastern Conference finals on Sun ..read more

MIAMI (CBSMiami) – The Miami Heat defeated the Boston Celtics in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals 111-103 to force a Game 7 Sunday night. Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler led the way for the Heat, orchestrating yet another 40-point masterpiece, scoring 47 points, 9 rebounds, and 8 assists, channeling his inner “Game 6, LeBron James-esque performance.” With his 46-minute performance, Butler scored his playoff career-high and the most points by a Miami Heat player facing elimination in a playoff series. After two underwhelming team performances, the Heat started the game off strong, maintaini ..read more

MIAMI (AP) — Jaylen Brown scored 25 points, Jayson Tatum added 22 and the Boston Celtics moved to the brink of a berth in the NBA Finals, running away after halftime to beat the Miami Heat 93-80 on Wednesday night and take a 3-2 lead in the Eastern Conference title series. Al Horford had 16 points and Derrick White added 14 for the Celtics. Tatum finished with 12 rebounds and nine assists. Bam Adebayo scored 18 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for the Heat, who shot 32% in the game — after shooting 33% in Boston’s 20-point win in Game 4. Gabe Vincent added 15, Jimmy Butler had 13 and Duncan Robi ..read more

MIAMI (AP) — Back. Forth. Back. Forth. The Miami Heat want to see that pattern continue. The Boston Celtics hope to break that trend. And the team that prevails Wednesday night will be one game away from the NBA Finals. The Eastern Conference finals has been nothing more than a series of mood swings, with matters set to resume with Game 5 on Wednesday in Miami. The top-seeded Heat and second-seeded Celtics are knotted up at two games apiece; the Heat rallied in the second half to take Game 1, Boston used a huge first-half run to respond and win Game 2, Miami answered back in Game 3 and the Cel ..read more

BOSTON (AP) — Jayson Tatum scored 31 points and the Boston Celtics took their turn pounding the Miami Heat early, jumping out to a 26-4 lead and cruising to a 102-82 victory that evened the Eastern Conference finals at two games apiece. Miami missed 15 of its first 16 shots in the second straight game that was all but over after 12 minutes. The Heat led 39-18 after the first quarter of Game 3 of this bizarre series in which no game has been close down the stretch. Game 5 is Wednesday in Miami. Payton Pritchard had 14 points for the Celtics. Derrick White added 13 points, eight rebounds and six ..read more

BOSTON (AP) — Heat guard Tyler Herro has been ruled out Game 4 of Miami’s Eastern Conference finals matchup with the Bostic Celtics because of a strained left groin. Miami made the announcement ahead of Monday night’s game. Herro missed the final eight minutes of the Heat’s 109-103 victory in Game 3 after sustaining the injury. He is averaging 13.5 points and 4.1 rebounds during the playoffs. Herro is one of several Miami players who left the game nursing ailments. All-Star Jimmy Butler sat out the entire second half with swelling in his right knee. He is questionable for Game 4 along with Kyl ..read more

BOSTON (AP) — The Heat were embarrassed in Game 2, surrendering home-court advantage in their blowout loss to the Celtics in their Eastern Conference finals matchup. Miami returned the favor in Game 3, building a 26-point first-half lead en route to hanging on for a 109-103 victory despite star Jimmy Butler sitting out the second half with swelling in his right knee. Tyler Herro also didn’t play the final eight minutes of the fourth quarter because of a groin injury. With Boston’s Jayson Tatum (stinger) and Marcus Smart (sprained ankle) also suffering injuries late, the Celtics went from a cha ..read more

BOSTON (AP) — Still angry over a blowout loss in Miami that cost them home-court advantage in the Eastern Conference finals, the Heat jumped to a 26-point first-half lead over the Boston Celtics in Game 3. Then Bam Adebayo made sure it was enough – just barely – to give Miami a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series. The Heat center scored 31 points with 10 rebounds, filling a void left by injured All-Star Jimmy Butler and leading Miami to a 109-103 victory Saturday night. Adebayo also had six assists and four of the Heat’s franchise postseason record 19 steals. “He did his version of what Jimmy ..read more