Jimmy Butler once again came up big for the Philadelphia 76ers, putting his team on his back during a rousing 112-101 win over the Toronto Raptors to force a Game 7 on the road. Sixers head coach Brett Brown had nothing but praise for his star, who infused his team with the right energy from the start.
“He just stamped his authority, his skill package and his will — he was all over that game,” said Brown, according to Tom Moore of the Bucks County Courier Times. “He led us. He was a tremendous leader.”
Butler finished with 25 points, six rebounds, eight assists, and two steals — setting the right example for the rest of the starters, who all finished in double figures.
“It’s just the energy he brings,” said Ben Simmons, who posted 21 points, eight rebounds and six assists, finishing the game without a turnover. “When you have a guy like that, he sets the tone.”
While the score wasn't as close as the final margin indicates, it still wasn't anywhere near to the mollywopping handed by the Raptors in Tuesday’s 125-89 Game 5.
“They want me to be aggressive, so that’s what I did,” Butler said. “I’m just hooping. I play to win. This is just what I have to do for us to win right now.”
Butler must keep that same energy moving forward, considering his team is at a home court disadvantage now venturing onto Scotiabank Arena to decided the fate of this series.