USA Today via Reuters
Oct 4, 2020; Orlando, Florida, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) dribbles while defended by Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) during the third quarter of game three of the 2020 NBA Finals at AdventHealth Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
USA Today via Reuters
Oct 4, 2020; Orlando, Florida, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) dribbles while defended by Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) during the third quarter of game three of the 2020 NBA Finals at AdventHealth Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
It’s a do-or-die situation for the Miami Heat tomorrow in the NBA Finals Game 5 as the Los Angeles Lakers hold a 3-1 lead in the series and the chances of recovery are slim to none. More than that, Jimmy Butler and Co. just have to focus on forcing the Los Angeles based franchise to Game 6 before they can talk about winning the championship title.
When we talk about the key players of the Miami Heat, Butler is the first player on everyone’s mind. Without a doubt, he is the vocal leader of the team, and if it weren’t for his consistency in clutch moments, the Heat would not have achieved so much success in the Playoffs.
Not too dissimilar to players like Tyler Herro, he has broken his fair share of records over the course of this season. During Game 3 of the NBA Finals, he etched his name closer to legends like Jerry West and LeBron James.
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He became the third player in the NBA’s history to record a 40-point triple-double, that too in the NBA Finals. Now, he has added his name to another record next to the likes of LeBron James and Michael Jordan.
ALSO READ- Jimmy Butler Joins LeBron James and Jerry West in All-Time NBA Finals Record
USA Today via Reuters
Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) controls the ball against the Boston Celtics during the first half of game four of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2020 NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Jimmy Butler, the biggest contributor to Miami Heat’s success?
As per ESPN Stats & Info, “Jimmy Butler has scored or assisted on 50.4% of the Heat’s total points in the NBA Finals (213 of 423).” Just imagine, one man is doing more than half of the work the rest of the team is putting in.
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Jimmy Butler has scored or assisted on 50.4% of the Heat's total points in the NBA Finals (213 of 423).
According to @EliasSports only two players have scored or assisted on at least 50% of their team's points in an NBA Finals: LeBron James (4x) and Michael Jordan (3x). pic.twitter.com/nGioeW8sQd
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) October 9, 2020
What’s crazier is that Michael Jordan and LeBron James are the only other players to have scored or assisted on at least 50% of their team’s points.
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Sure, the other players have done their part as well, but there is no one like Jimmy Butler. His presence in the team itself has brought the franchise alive.
You can expect the Heat to enter the court with a fire inside them. This is their only chance for a better shot at the championship ring and they didn’t come so far just to be sent home packing with a 4-1 defeat.
