The Heat nearly squandered a large early lead but held on to defeat the Celtics 109-103 on Saturday in Boston.
Miami led 39-18 after one period but lost star guard Jimmy Butler to a knee injury. He sat out the second half and the Celtics’ furious fourth-quarter rally fell short.
The Heat leads the series 2-1 with Game 4 on Monday at 8:30 p.m.
Beat writer Ira Winderman of the South-Florida Sun-Sentinel tweeted afterward that Butler’s injury is not considered serious.
Miami guard Kyle Lowry , who has missed time, played 29 minutes and appeared to be his usual self.
– Joe Henderson, Extensive Enterprises Media