The Miami Heat took the LA Lakers down in game three with a massive performance by Jimmy Butler. Butler had a 40-point triple-double and lead the Heat to a win after they were down 2-0.
Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra was honest with the media about what he expects from Butler going forward in this series.
.@JimmyButler’s 40-PT triple-double had the league buzzing last night 🗣#NBAFinals pic.twitter.com/8vWWjpSiQo
— NBA TV (@NBATV) October 5, 2020
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Spoelstra said, “There’s no turning back. He has to make some things happen for us. He did that in a brilliant way last night, and he’ll likely have to do something very similar to that again. For us to be able to accomplish what we want to accomplish, you can’t just be normal; you have to be extraordinary. And he was last night.
“He’s shouldering major responsibilities on both sides of the floor. This is what he’s always wanted as a competitor. This is what we want from him. He’s going to continue to get tested and challenged by this competition, and I just love seeing what’s coming out of that, that competition,” the Heat’s coach added.
Miami Heat putting their eggs in the Jimmy Butler basket?
Everyone believes that NBA Finals are won by superstars. Teams need that one alpha on the court that can carry the team to victory. While Butler did that in game three, will he be able to repeat it? Coach Spo surely hopes so. However, this is easier said than done.
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While Miami does have Jimmy Butler, LA will be loading up LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Especially Bron, who will attack Butler for the rest of this series after their exchanges in game three.
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Spoelstra doesn’t have any other choice but to rely on Butler, considering the injuries to Bam Adebayo and Goran Dragic. Everyone will keep a close eye on game four to see if LeBron exacts his revenge or if Jimmy Butler proves that game three wasn’t a fluke.