Derrick White leads the Celtics to victory with 28 points as they rally

Boston defeats Miami, the reigning Eastern Conference champion, 119-111, thanks to 27 points from Jaylen Brown.

The Miami Heat and Boston Celtics have undergone significant changes since their seven-game playoff series from the previous season.

Nothing has even slightly lowered the rivalry's intensity.

In a rematch of the Eastern Conference finals from the previous season, Derrick White scored 28 points, five of which came from 3-point range, and the Celtics came back to defeat the Heat 119-111 on Friday night.

Jaylen Brown contributed 27 points and six rebounds. In their most recent meeting, the East rivals—who have faced off in the conference finals three of the previous four seasons—saw Jayson Tatum finish with 22 points.

This time, White shone down the stretch, scoring 14 points in the fourth quarter for a squad that has relied on the brilliance of Tatum and Brown in their most recent postseason appearances.

"Having spent a few years here, I am aware of the men's proper whereabouts.," White remarked. "I simply want to place people in the appropriate positions and take it from there."

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After a 7-3 run that included a driving slam by Tatum and a 3-pointer by White, Boston led 109-101 at 4:19. In the last minute, three-pointers from Herro and Love reduced the score to one possession.

The final five points, including a three from Brown, were scored by Boston to secure the victory after a coach's challenge of a Butler foul was rejected.

At 3:04 of the third quarter, Porzingis scored five points in a row to give the Celtics a seven-point lead. However, Herro's consecutive 3-pointers ignited a three-minute period during which Miami regained the lead, 79-76.

Following a three-point play by Adebayo and a technical free throw by Herro, Lowry's sprinting pull-up triple turned the tide in favor of the visitors. In the final seconds, a 3-pointer from Tatum pulled Boston back to within a basket.

Boston led 60–55 at the half thanks to a potent last kick in the first and second quarters.

In the opening quarter, Miami's lead reached double digits thanks to two triples by Herro, who at the break had 12 points to Boston's 16 points.

Boston responded with a 10-point run of their own, spurred by a three-point play by Brown, and ended the first quarter within 28–25.

After Tatum's baseline drive leveled the score at 33, Miami opened the second quarter with a 4-of-7 3-point run, which included back-to-back Duncan Robinson baskets.

But with 2:51 remaining, Holiday's layup and Brown's back-to-back steal and dunk gave the Celtics the advantage. Just six points were scored by Miami in the final 5:04 before halftime.