No Bam Adebayo. No Goran Dragic. No Problem. With the weight of a potential 3-0 series deficit hanging in the balance and the Heat entering the game down two starters, Jimmy Butler turned into Jimmy Buckets. On the back of his first career triple-double, Butler propelled the Miami Heat to a 115-104 victory to steal Game 3.
If it was not already obvious, Butler chose a great night to have the best performance of his career. The Los Angeles Lakers entered Game 3 as the heavy favorites as they trotted out two of the top-10 players in the game in LeBron James and Anthony Davis with a 2-0 that came off of two victories that came in a relatively convincing fashion.
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On top of that, the Heat would miss two key starters in Adebayo (neck/back) and Dragic (torn plantar fascia) for their second consecutive game in the series due to injury. These two combined for an average of 37.7 points per game in the playoffs this season and missing that kind of production would be a huge blow to any offense.
In response, Butler raised them three points on his own with a playoff career-high 40 points along with 11 rebounds, 13 assists, two blocks and two steals in a heroic effort to pick up the scoring load for an undermanned Miami team. On 14 of 20 shooting from the floor, 12 of 14 from the free throw line and not a single three-point attempt, Butler became only the second player in franchise history to record 30 or more points through three quarters in a Finals game behind only Miami Heat legend Dwayne Wade in 2006. A career night indeed for an underappreciated superstar who continues to improve and rise to the occasion when the lights are brightest.
Alongside Butler’s saving grace of a performance, he did get significant help from his supporting cast. Despite a rough shooting night from Tyler Herro (6 of 18) and Duncan Robinson (4 of 12), the two still manage to combine for 30 points on the night even while struggling from beyond the arc.
On top of that, the real X-factor for Miami came in the form of Kelly Olynyk who provided another big boost off the bench. After dropping 24 points in Game 2, Olynyk followed up with 17 points and seven rebounds in his 31 minutes. With Adebayo out and the Heat lacking depth in the frontcourt, another solid night from Olynyk was just what the doctor ordered for a Miami team in desperate search of another consistent/efficient scorer outside of Butler. Butler will get the game for the victory, but it took a handful of guys stepping up big to seal the deal.
Of course, when looking on the other side, the Los Angeles Lakers did not do themselves any favors in regard to fighting off this fired up Miami Heat team. Anthony Davis faced foul trouble all night which limited his aggressiveness on both sides of the floor and led him to a 15-point performance which is second worst to only the close out Game 5 against the Houston Rockets where he only had 13 points. This lack of aggression by Davis seemed to have a trickle effect throughout the team as they were dominated in points in the paint, 52 to 34 and they settled for far too many threes (14 of 42 from three).
To make matters worse, the Lakers and Heat combined for a total of 18 turnovers on the night in Game 2 but the Lakers alone topped that with 19 in the first half as they struggled to get into their offense and James had a handful of traveling calls.
Coming in unfocused and possibly too caught up in the euphoria of being two games away from an NBA title, the Lakers seemed to have slept on Miami and got caught lacking. The only bright spot for Los Angeles would probably come in the form of their bench production where they got a 19 apiece from Markieff Morris and Kyle Kuzma. Their capability to pick up the slack offensively when Davis is struggling is a good sign for Lakers as they now realize that it will require a team effort if they want to put away this feisty Heat team led by Jimmy Butler and head coach Eric Spoelstra.
Following the game, Heat star Jimmy Butler made it clear to the media that the Lakers now are in trouble heading into Game 4. Butler highlighted that although Game 3 was great, they cannot be caught up in the emotional high of a win going on to say, “We’re going to have to be even better than we were tonight in order to even this thing up at 2-2.”
So, it’s to the film room, we’ll fix some things and come back ready to go.” Butler and the Heat have now proven that despite all the naysayers, they will not be going out without a fight. Now as we look ahead to Game 4, the pressure slowly shifts towards the Los Angeles Lakers as they look to hold off the rallying Miami Heat and stop them from evening this thing up.
BSL Analyst
Hi there! My name is Jalon Dixon, but most people just call me Jay. As an aspiring, young sports writer and podcaster, I enjoy discussing sports (mainly basketball and football) and sharing my knowledge with others. Growing up right in the middle of Towson University, Morgan State, Goucher College and others, I have gotten the chance to learn so much about a handful of the different athletic teams that thrive here in Baltimore. I want to be the voice of local fans and teams that may not get the same spotlight as others, but still play a big part in our everyday lives. My motto is “Always Embrace Conversation,” so if you ever want to give me feedback on a piece or even just have a friendly sports debate, feel free to email me! Hope you enjoy my work and maybe even learn something along the way.