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

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. 

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?" 

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.

More must-reads:

TODAY'S BEST
Mavericks rookie takes brutal knee to the head in Game 3
Josef Newgarden wins Indianapolis 500 with a thrilling last-lap pass
White Sox manager absolutely shreds team after latest loss
Unlikely hero helps Rangers steal Game 3 over Panthers
Angels slugger suffers what might be baseball's most bizarre injury of 2024 season
Watch: Unlikely Rangers playoff hero nets two goals vs. Panthers
Celtics put Kristaps Porzingis' return from injury on hold
Watch: Panthers' Sam Reinhart nets two goals in first period vs. Rangers
Watch: Big crash ensues on Lap 1 of 2024 Indianapolis 500
Red Sox release well-traveled right-hander
Braves slugger, four-time All-Star leaves game due to knee soreness
Anthony Edwards makes declaration ahead of Game 3 against Mavericks
Watch: Matt Vierling's walk-off HR caps wild game in Detroit
Report: Star Japanese pitcher could move to MLB next year
Royals return Rule 5 pick to Yankees
Sixers viewed as a 'serious danger' to snatch core Nuggets role player
NFL reporter reveals why CeeDee Lamb isn't rushing to sign new contract
Diamondbacks designate struggling right-hander for assignment
Report: 76ers believe this eight-time All-Star would be 'ideal fit'
Pelicans expected to promote from within for GM role

Want more sports news?

Join the hundreds of thousands of fans who start their day with Yardbarker's Morning Bark, the best newsletter in sports.