Jimmy Butler Scores 27, Miami Beats Boston 111–105 to Take 2–0 Lead in East Finals

Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler, top left, looks to pass between Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum, bottom left, and center Al Horford, right, during the second half of Game 2 of the NBA basketball playoffs Eastern Conference finals in Boston on May 19, 2023. Michael Dwyer/AP Photo

BOSTON—Jimmy Butler went forehead-to-forehead with the Boston Celtics, and the Heat are heading back to Miami with an opportunity to advance to the NBA Finals.

Butler scored 27 points, hitting back-to-back buckets to tie the game and give Miami the lead, and the eighth-seeded Heat left Boston with a 111–105 victory Friday night and a 2–0 lead in the Eastern Conference finals.