Jimmy Butler helped carry his Miami Heat to a Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals this postseason. But he was unable to drag them across the finish line.
Butler’s Heat trailed for the entire game but made it a one-possession contest in the final minute after a 3-pointer by Max Strus. Boston had a chance to extend their lead, but Marcus Smart missed a layup with under 22 seconds left to keep the score at 98-96.
Butler got the rebound and brought the ball up the court. He then decided to shoot for the lead and attempted a 3-pointer with 16.6 seconds left. He missed the shot and Boston got the rebound.
Good or bad shot by Jimmy Butler?
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) May 30, 2022
Should Butler have attempted that shot for the lead or just tried for an easier 2-point basket to tie the game? That’s what many are debating. One factor is that he had a clean look.
Looking back at it, I don't hate the Jimmy Butler three. Horford was playing way off of him to stop the drive. Would've been a contested drive.
Gotta take the wide open soul-crusher when you get the chance, just seems bad because he missed it. pic.twitter.com/WO7wIwmSQL
— Jeff Ermann (@Jeff_Ermann) May 30, 2022
His coach Erik Spoelstra also thought the shot was going in.
Erik Spoelstra said he loved the shot from Jimmy Butler.
"When it left his hand, I thought it was going down."
— Five Reasons Sports 🏀🏈⚾️🏒⚽️ (@5ReasonsSports) May 30, 2022
The shot missed and Boston’s Smart made both his free throws to put his team up 100-96. That was the final score as the Celtics advanced to the NBA Finals.
Butler finished 13/24 shooting for 35 points. He made 1/4 threes in the game, missing a huge one at the end.
