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A14 sports
Monday 22 april 2024

Jayson Tatum triple-double, 3s lead Celtics past Butler-less Heat

114-94 in playoff opener

By KYLE HIGHTOWER hit like that, or fouled in this
AP Sports Writer series. I wasn't hurt to get hit
BOSTON (AP) — The Celtics like that. Just get up. ... Just
spent the days leading up to go down there and knock
their playoff matchup with the free throws down."
Miami talking about wanting Miami was pushed around
to match the physicality of for most of the game, nota-
a team that would be look- bly limited to just five offen-
ing for an edge without star sive rebounds.
Jimmy Butler. That set tone, Heat coach
Boston did that and then Erik Spoelstra said.
some. "Boston controlled this game
Jayson Tatum notched his from the tip," he said. "They
first career playoff triple- won the big muscle areas.
double with 23 points, 10 re- Definitely won the 3-point line
bounds and 10 assists to lead and the majority of the areas
Boston past the Miami Heat in between."
114-94 on Sunday to open Boston didn't have reserve
their first-round playoff series. big man Luke Kornet after
Derrick White added 20 he strained his right calf in
points and four assists for Bos- practice on Saturday. But
ton, which finished with six the Celtics' bench stepped
players in double-figures. The up without him, contributing
Celtics' lead grew as high as Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) drives past Miami Heat forward Nikola Jovic (5) in the first 30 points.
34 points in the fourth quar- half of Game 1 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Sunday, April 21, 2024, in Boston. Sunday's game had a com-
Associated Press
ter. Miami used a late run to pletely different feel without
get as close as 14, but Boston chise playoff record with 22 Butler following his right leave it behind us and keep Butler, whose postseason he-
closed it out. 3-pointers and outscoring knee injury during the play- it moving." roics keyed Miami's run from
"It's supposed to be tough. the Heat 31-14 in the third in round. Terry Rozier also Game 2 is Wednesday in play-in qualifier to the NBA
In the playoffs no game is quarter. remained out with a neck Boston. finals a year ago.
easy," Tatum said. "There's no "There was a four or five-min- injury. Delon Wright added 17 Tempers flared in the final Boston beat the Heat in all
guaranteed wins regardless ute stretch when we didn't points and tied a career-high minute when Caleb Mar- three regular-season meet-
of time and score, how much handle it well, but I think the with five 3s. Jaime Jaquez Jr. tin undercut Tatum on a ings this season, including a
time is left. ... We just had to other 42-43 minutes — that's finished with 16 points. Tyler rebound attempt and sent 33-point drubbing in Miami.
respond and we did that." the recipe," Celtics coach Herro had 11 points, but shot him crashing hard to floor. Sunday's game resembled
Miami spoiled the Celtics' Joe Mazzulla said. just 4 of 13 from the field, in- Brown got in Martin's face that one, with the Celtics
NBA finals dreams last sea- Including the regular season, cluding 2 of 9 from beyond afterward, leading to a brief jumping on the Heat from
son, jumping out to a 3-0 Boston is 38-4 at home and the arc. scrum and double technical the opening tap.
lead in the conference finals has won its past four meet- "Applying pressure and fouls on Brown and Martin. On the first possession of the
and then blowing them out ings with the Heat. making things difficult, not "It's a physical game play- game Tatum was stripped at
in Boston in Game 7. Bam Adebayo scored 24 really allowing me to get ing against a physical team. the last second on a dunk
But Boston fed off the ener- points for the Miami, which comfortable really from the (Stuff is) going to happen," attempt but corralled the
gy of the TD Garden crowd played for the second beginning," Herro said. "It's Tatum said. "It's probably not loose ball and found Brown
on Sunday, tying a fran- straight game without star one game. We're going to the last time I'm gong to get for a 3-pointer.q

Nelly Korda ties LPGA Tour record with 5th straight

victory, wins Chevron Championship for 2nd major

to win five consecutive LPGA seven holes of the weather- Korda wowed the large
events. Her previous major delayed third round early Sun- crowd, which followed her
victory was in 2021 at the day morning on a windy and throughout the day, by chip-
Women's PGA Championship. unseasonably cool day. ping into the wind for birdie
The top-ranked Korda shot She birdied two of her first on the par-4 10th hole to
a 3-under 69 in the final to four holes to take the lead. take a four-stroke lead. The
outlast Maja Stark of Swe- Lauren Coughlin birdied 25-year-old raised her club
den, who birdied her final Nos. 13 and 14 to get within above her head with one
two holes to pull within one. two strokes, but bogeys on hand and pumped her fist
Nelly Korda celebrates after winning the final round of the Korda stayed aggressive on the 16th and 17th holes put after the ball rolled into the
Chevron Championship LPGA golf tournament Sunday, April 21, the par-5 18th, easily clearing her four behind. She shot a hole.
2024, at The Club at Carlton Woods in The Woodlands, Texas. the lake in front of the green final-round 68 finish tied for Haeran Ryu of South Korea
Associated Press and setting up an easy up- third with Canadian Brooke shot a bogey-free 67 to enter
By KRISTIE RIEKEN straight tournament with and-down birdie for a two- Henderson. the final round leading Korda
AP Sports Writer a two-stroke victory in the shot victory. Korda nearly aced the par-3 by one. But the 2023 Rookie
THE WOODLANDS, Texas Chevron Championship for Korda had a four-day total 17th, with her tee shot hitting of the Year bogeyed the first
(AP) — Nelly Korda etched her second major title. of 12-under 275 at Carlton the hole and hopping in the two holes in the fourth round
her name in the LPGA Tour Korda joins Nancy Lopez Woods. Korda entered the air before settling within 10 to fall out of the lead. She
record books Sunday, win- (1978) and Annika Sorenstam last round one shot off the feet. She settled for par to closed with a 74 and finished
ning her record-tying fifth (2004-05) as the only players lead after completing the last maintain her two-shot lead. fifth.q