The Lakers squandered a prime opportunity to put away the Miami Heat and secure the NBA title in Game 5. Is an NBA Finals nightmare brewing for Lakers?After Game 3, when Butler’s 40-point triple-double made the series 2-1 Lakers, Spoelstra walked into the postgame news conference and anointed him “Jimmy Effing Butler.” After Butler’s 35 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists in their 111-108 Game 5 win, Spoelstra said he’s earned the full F-bomb.
It was more than him Friday, Duncan Robinson’s shooting and Kendrick Nunn’s aggression playing major factors in the outcome. But its obvious that Butler’s spirit drives it all. And Friday, he sat out of the game for just 48 seconds. “I left it all out there on the floor,” Butler said.He extended his legs, Vans on his feet. As he talked, he got more comfortable, his amazing ability to recover already happening in real time.
As the Lakers broke their pregame huddle following introductions, James calmly said, “One, two, three. Dominate.”The Lakers lost their first chance to clinch the franchise’s 17th NBA championship with a 111-108 oss to the Miami Heat on Friday night in Orlando, Fla.Just as Davis did to him, Butler often found himself squared up into Davis’ chest, trying to stop a player much bigger than him.
Win or lose the series, Butler is the Finals MVP. Heat jerseys would have been collected without him by now.
My Lyft driver before the series said Jimmy ‘Buckets’ was a complementary player, not a true superstar. Hmmm.
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