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Jayson Tatum leads the Celtics to their first semifinal win
Photograph:
RHONA WISE / EPA
The Boston Celtics have averted their exit from the NBA playoffs for the time being and won their first victory against the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals. The NBA record champions won 116-99 in Miami. Miami now leads 3-1 in the best-of-seven series and can make it to the NBA Finals in the away game in Boston on Friday night.
In the Finals, the Denver Nuggets, who beat the Los Angeles Lakers in four games in the Western Conference Final, are waiting.
Miami led by six points at halftime, but gave up the lead in the third quarter and didn't get back into the game after that. Jayson Tatum scored 33 points for Boston and contributed 11 rebounds and 7 assists. For Miami, Jimmy Butler was the top scorer with 29 points.
aha/dpa