The Miami Heat and Los Angeles Lakers played a tremendously entertaining game at AmericanAirlines Arena in Miami on Friday night, but Heat fans were likely left with sour taste in their mouth after their was a controversial no-call on Heat star Jimmy Butler on the game’s final possession.
Apparently, that no-call should’ve led to three free throws, per a report from the NBA, which Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel relayed:
NBA report says Heat. fouled twice on final possession vs. Lakers. Says Jimmy Butler was fouled by LeBron on inbound attempt, which should have resulted in free throws and ball. Says Butler was fouled on potential tying three pointer, which would have resulted in free throws.
— Ira Winderman (@IraHeatBeat) December 14, 2019
Despite that loss, the Heat are riding high with a record of 18-7, which is good for third in the Eastern Conference. Though three inexperienced players are contributing in major ways (Kendrick Nunn, Tyler Herro and Duncan Robinson), Butler’s experience and star pedigree makes him the team leader, and he is living up to that title by producing some of the best numbers of his career.
Though his overall scoring is slightly down (20.7 points per game) from his recently lofty peaks with the Bulls and Timberwolves, he is delivering career-highs in every other major counting stat. Butler is putting 6.7 rebounds per game, 6.8 assists per game, 0.7 blocks per game and 2.2 steals per game – which currently leads the entire NBA.
Will Butler be able to keep the Heat in the running for a top-3 seed all season? Only time will tell, but the early returns are good – despite a bad missed call on Friday night.
Follow Us
Subscribe