Late Friday, with his postgame interview finished and a 2–0 series lead secured, Jimmy Butler was still talking. Miami’s 111–105 victory featured what has become typical brilliance from Butler: 27 points, eight rebounds, six assists and a string of clutch shots that helped the Heat erase a 12-point deficit in the fourth quarter. As he made his way toward the Heat locker room, Butler delivered a message to the stunned fans within ear shot.
“There’s no way,” Butler said. “There’s no way they thought that was the answer.”
That, presumably, was Boston’s decision to play Grant Williams, a sturdy, versatile defender who was a DNP-CD in the Eastern Conference finals series opener. Williams played well early, coming off the bench in the first quarter and knocking down three three-pointers in the first half. Midway through the fourth, Williams connected on another three that stretched the Celtics lead to nine. As he made his way up the floor, Williams started talking to Butler. After Butler drew a foul on Williams on the next possession, the two went nose-to-nose.
