Run-in with Grant Williams fuels Jimmy Butler, Heat in win

Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler comes together with Boston Celtics forward Grant Williams after a play during the second half of Game 2. Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

Run-in with Grant Williams fuels Jimmy Butler, Heat in Game 2 win

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated 5/20/23

Grant Williams poked star Jimmy Butler late, and the Boston Celtics paid dearly in a 111-105 Game 2 loss Friday, falling behind the Miami Heat 2-0 in the Eastern Conference Finals.

With 6:37 left in the fourth, Williams put the Celtics up 96-87 with a three-pointer before jawing with Butler as the two jogged to the other end of the floor. On the next Heat possession, Butler aggressively posted up Williams, hitting a short jump shot and drawing a foul. After the whistle, Butler and Williams met face-to-face, continuing to shout at one another before teammates intervened.

Jimmy Butler and Grant getting chippy pic.twitter.com/qGACc9o2aH
— Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) May 20, 2023

The dustup seemed to motivate Butler and the Heat. Miami went on a 24-9 run after Williams' three, including nine points alone from Butler, en route to a six-point victory.

After the game, Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla didn't fault Williams for going at it with Butler, even if it seemed to turn the tide of Game 2.

"He didn't do anything wrong, necessarily, so I don't think it's emotions getting the best of him," Mazzulla said, via NBA TV.

Meanwhile, Butler walked off the floor at TD Garden, yelling, "That's the answer to the Jimmy Butler problem?"

“That’s the answer to the Jimmy Butler problem?!”

Jimmy is HYPE after going up 2-0 against Boston pic.twitter.com/weGt0h1ts1
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) May 20, 2023

Butler once again stuffed the stat sheet in Game 2, finishing with a team-high 27 points, shooting 12-of-25 from the field with eight rebounds, six assists, three steals and two blocks.

Along with Butler's big outing, Bam Adebayo had 22 in the win, adding 17 rebounds and nine assists to pace Miami's starters. The Heat also saw contributions off the bench from Caleb Martin and Duncan Robinson, who combined for 40 points and six three-pointers.

The eighth-seeded Heat are only two wins away from reaching the NBA Finals. Miami will host Boston for Game 3 of the conference finals Sunday at 8:30 p.m. ET., looking to take a commanding 3-0 advantage.

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