HEAT vs. LAKERS: The Miami Heat surprises the Los Angeles Lakers with a heroic Jimmy Butler! | 2020 NBA FINALS GAME 3

Jimmy Butler

 

Author of a phenomenal triple-double (40 pts, 11 rebounds, 13 wt), Jimmy Butler led the Miami Heat to victory over the Los Angeles Lakers (115-104) on Game 3 of 2020 NBA Finals. 

A victory that allows the Floridians to close the gap to 2-1 in the finals. And above all a success that gives hope to a team decimated by injuries.

Miami Heat - Los Angeles Lakers: 115-104

Los Angeles leads the series 2-1

Jimmy Butler promised to fight to the end. And he never stops keeping his word. His team’s best on the field in the opening two games of the NBA Finals, while gritting his teeth after injuring his ankle, the All-Star full-back delivered a Game 3 recital last night. 40 points, 11 rebounds and 13 assists to lead the Heat to victory against the Lakers (115-104). 

The third triple-double at 40 points or more in Finals history. A fantastic performance that allows Miami to close the gap, possibly restart the series or, failing that, save the honor. Because he's out of the question to come home without looking good.

Even deprived of his lieutenants Bam Adebayo and Goran Dragic, both injured and still absent, Butler refuses to give up. And it was under his leadership that the Floridians attacked the game with envy and aggression. 

The boss was already 19 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists at the break. But the game was still very tight. The Heat took a 13-point lead very quickly (21-9) in the first quarter. In less than five minutes, the Lakers stuck to the score. A scenario that repeated itself over and over again for more than forty minutes. The Heat won't let go.

Erik Spoelstra's players, for example, once again widened the gap when they returned from the locker room. With a 10-0 passed at the start of the second period, to lead by 14 points (68-54). But the Angelenos responded with eight straight points. 

Not discouraged, Miami got back to pushing… to regain a 12 point lead in the dying minutes of the third quarter. 

All this to cash a 20-6 from their opponents in stride. Rajon Rondo even gave Los Angeles the advantage with a layup just under 9 minutes from the buzzer (89-91). 

Would the match finally change? Butler made sure not. He equalized first before offering an assist for a three-point field goal from Kelly Olynyk who was once again efficient on offense and scored 17 points. The Heat star added 8 consecutive points in less than two minutes. This time around, the Lakers didn't get over it.

The Heat therefore won with a big performance from their holders. They scored 89 points against 51 for those of the Lakers. Because behind JB, Tyler Herro scored 17 points - including several important baskets in the money time. 

Duncan Robinson (13 pts) woke up after two disastrous first matches and Jae Crowder finished with 12 units. 

On the LA side, LeBron James once again found himself on the verge of the triple-double (26-10-8) but Anthony Davis did not have the same monstrous performance as in Games 1 and 2. 15 points and 5 rebounds in 33 minutes. 

The Heat can now hope for a return from Adebayo and Dragic (or one of them, at least) to back up Jimmy Butler. 

What has already been established is that this team is not going to let go. Until the last second of those NBA Finals.

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