Call it The Jimmy Butler Game.
With their backs against the wall, Miami Heat alpha dog Jimmy Butler made sure they'll stay alive in the NBA Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers. He delivered a legendary triple-double performance in Game 5 on Friday night, finishing with 35 points, 12 rebounds, and 11 assists while adding five steals and a block in a nervewracking 47 minutes. He only missed eight of his 19 field goals and was an immaculate 12 of 12 from the free-throw line.
But as much as he was the main reason for their do-or-die win, Butler admitted to ESPN's Rachel Nichols after the game that lady luck was on their side as Danny Green missed the wide-open three-pointer with only 7.1 seconds left that could've won the game for the Lakers.
. @Rachel__Nichols: "Where do you go from here?
Jimmy Butler: "Back to the hotel to get better. The way we ended the game tonight is not gonna get it done in the next one. We gotta be better.” 😤pic.twitter.com/MvXzcXXPuM
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) October 10, 2020
The former Marquette standout carried the Heat on his back all game long. He started strong once again to set the tone and mustered enough strength to will his team in the endgame. He scored eight of their last 10 points, including four clutch free throws.
Green, meanwhile, continued his shooting struggles. He missed all three of his wide-open looks from long distance in the fourth quarter. He finished with eight points on 3 of 8 marksmanship. He's only shooting 28.9% in the series, including a woeful 24.7% from rainbow territory. After their bitter loss, he was seen staring into space, perhaps thinking of his blown chance.
Butler said they we're lucky? Well, the Heat are lucky to have him.
Follow Us
Subscribe