Lake Buena Vista, Fla. – With 46 seconds left in Friday night’s Game 5 of the NBA Finals, arena staff placed white and gold confetti bags on the carpet floor and set by the court’s baseline. Celebration accessories fell prematurely, however, largely due to Miami hit star Jimmy Butler.
Soon, Butler hit two free throws to give the Heat a one-point lead. The second pair of freebies gave Miami the win after 30 seconds which they did not abandon.
Butler finished on the floor with 35 minutes, 12 rebounds and 47 assists in 11 assists, 12 seconds. The Heat put pressure on Game 6 by beating the Lakers 111-108, which will be played on Sunday.
“I’m sure they wanted to win and thought they were going to win too, like we did,” Butler said.
The wear on Butler’s body was on display when he went to his postgame news conference. He sat down softly, a little squeaky squeaky squeaky squeaky squeaky squeaky squeaky squeaky squeaky squeaky squeaky squeaky squeaky squeaky squeaky squeaky squeaky squeaky squeaky squeaky squeaky squeaky squeaky squeaky squeaky squeaky squeaky squeaky
Butler said, “I left it all on the floor with my friends.” And that’s how we play from here. As I always say: it’s a win or a win for us. “
During the last 10 post seasons, Butler has played 15 games in which he went 45 minutes or more. According to ESPN statistics and data research, it is the third highest in the NBA, behind only LeBron James and Kevin Durant.
Before hitting the free throw that helped seal the victory, Butler leaned over a railing, exhausted, gathering himself.
Coach Eric Spolstra said his desire to win is significant. “Every young player coming into this league should study the footage on Jimmy Butler. The definition of a two-way player.”
.7 46..7 seconds left in the game – Butler’s hand images on the black cushion of the video board have gone viral.
Spoilstra said, “This is it. It’s an image of a champion before you become a champion.”
Spoilestra cut its rotation in Game 5: Butler, Bam Adebayo, Ja Crowder, Duncan Robinson, Tyler Hero, Andre Igudala and Kendrick Nunn with only 7 players. While Robbins scored 26 points and Nune 14 off the bench, de Debayo finished with just 13 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 turnovers.
“He’s been getting as close as you possibly can,” Adebayo said of Butler. “In my view, I got better for him, so he doesn’t have to carry that much weight. So my mindset is that I can be better for Jimmy for my team.”
Butler has repeatedly said that to beat the Lakers, one has to demonstrate the perfection of the heat basketball perf. On Friday night, Butler again noted that with each game, winning becomes more challenging.
“I think that next game will be even tougher for us,” Butler said. “But I like our opportunities.”
Nick Friedel of ESPN contributed to this report.
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