Getty Image / Mike Ehrmann
Jimmy Butler is in the midst of one of the greatest postseasons in recent memory. He’s averaging nearly 30 points a game, and has helped will the eighth-seeded Miami Heat to within one game of the NBA Finals.
But, Jimmy Butler is also on the precipice of disaster. The Miami Heat led the Boston Celtics 3-0 in the Eastern Conference Finals, but after the dramatic game 6 loss, the series is now tied at 3.
Yes, Jimmy Butler did make three insanely clutch free throws to give the Miami Heat the lead with just three seconds left before Derrick White hit a crazy buzzer-beater.
JIMMY BUTLER. CLUTCH! pic.twitter.com/TiLKv7rh5q
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) May 28, 2023
DERRICK WHITE FOR THE WIN 😱 pic.twitter.com/hinMigekhp
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) May 28, 2023
But, he was simply not very good in game 6. He was a lousy 5-21 from the field, and needed a 12-14 performance from the foul line to get to 24 points. Combined with Bam Adebayo going 4-16, and it’s a miracle that the Heat were literally a tenth of a second from winning the basketball game.
Jimmy and Bam tonight: pic.twitter.com/m4qSTyG3fw
— MicahParsonsSZN ™ (@ParsonsTakeover) May 28, 2023
Jimmy & Bam after the 3-0 start pic.twitter.com/maAWq3N1lz
— 🇭🇹Your Favorite Zoe🇭🇹 (@ihate_ap) May 28, 2023
And, after the game, Jimmy Butler took responsibility for the loss, saying if he played better, the Heat would have won.
"If I play better, we're not even in this position."
Jimmy Butler following the Heat's Game 6 loss at the buzzer pic.twitter.com/1ezytKDKWb
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) May 28, 2023
Don’t worry, Heat fans, he’s guaranteed a game 7 win, just like his coach, Erik Spoelstra, did.
Jimmy Butler guarantees a Miami Heat Game 7 win 👀pic.twitter.com/ptFZGrmf5v
— Action Network (@ActionNetworkHQ) May 28, 2023
If that is going to happen, Jimmy Butler will have to be much better.