On May 18, Beijing time, the NBA Eastern Conference Finals began, and there was only one game today, Butler copied Jordan and created a number of feats; Six of the Heat scored 15+ in the Division Finals, the first time in nearly 38 years in the NBA, and here is a summary of today's data -
Butler's achievements are tied for second in history
The Heat beat the Celtics 123-116, Jimmy Butler played 43 minutes, shooting 12 of 25, including 2 of 4 three-pointers, 9 of 10 free throws, 35 points, 5 rebounds, 7 assists and 6 steals, which was the second time in his career that he had at least 35 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists and 5 steals, tied with Iverson for second only to Jordan (7).
Butler copies Jordan
This is also the second time Butler has scored 30+5+5+5 away from home in the playoffs, and the last time he did this twice on the road was Michael Jordan.
Butler became the first man in Heat history
Butler is also the first player in Heat history to score at least 35 points and six steals in the playoffs, and even if the scoring statistics are narrowed down to 30 points, he is the first player in team history to score 30+6 (points and steals) in the playoffs since Wade in 2013.
Butler was the first person to make Curry the first steal in the Division Finals
Butler has made the most steals in the last six divisional finals, the last time to do so in the divisional finals was Curry in 2017.
The Heat became the fifth team in history
The Heat won Game 1 on the road in three consecutive series, becoming the fifth team in history to accomplish this feat, the first four being the Rockets in 1981, the Bulls in 1989, the Knicks in 1999 and the Hawks in 2021. The 1981 Rockets and the 1999 Knicks both reached the Finals, but ultimately missed the championship.
The Heat six-man division finals hit 15+ for the first time in nearly 38 years
The Heat scored at least 15 points for six players, the first time in NBA history that six teammates scored 15+ points at the same time in the Division Finals, and for the first time since 1985.
The Heat set a record for nearly 24 years
Since 1999, the Heat became the first team to win the first game of the divisional finals as the eighth seed. They scored 46 points in the third quarter, setting a team all-time playoff single-quarter scoring record.
Smart is the first player in the team's history in nearly 11 years
Green Army guard Smart had 13 points and 11 assists, and he set a career playoff assist record with 10 assists in the first half, and the last Green Army player to give 10 assists in the playoff half was Rondo in the 2012 East final, also against the Heat.