Getty Image / Stacy Revere
The Miami Heat found a way to turn things around in the fourth quarter and force overtime against the Milwaukee Bucks.
All thanks to a circus shot from Jimmy Butler. Miami went on to clinch the series and advance to the second round.
Well, as it turns out, Jimmy Butler’s shot to send it to overtime wasn’t the original plan on the sidelines. In fact, he claims he basically took control of the call.
According to SportsCenter, Butler claims head coach Erik Spoelstra was designing the fourth-quarter shot for someone else. But the Heat superstar stepped up and made sure he was the one taking that final shot.
Jimmy wanted the moment 😤 pic.twitter.com/r5TlpVGGV1
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) April 27, 2023
Rather than fighting it, Spoelstra decided to give Jimmy Butler the green light right there on the sideline.
The Heat star reveals that Spoelstra told him “Go ahead. Take us home,” per The Athletic.
Erik Spoelstra drew up a different version of the last-second play that sent Game 5 into overtime.
Then Jimmy Butler made himself clear.
“No, let me be that guy.”@DarnellMayberry on the Heat’s stunning series win: https://t.co/4fXxWNGgoW pic.twitter.com/fiPawQtH0x
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) April 27, 2023
This circus shot is even better now that we know Jimmy Butler took control of the sideline to help the Heat force overtime.
JIMMY BUTLER. HOW?!?!?!?! pic.twitter.com/3s2NSLTn5a
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 27, 2023
That series against the Bucks might just be some of the best basketball we’ve ever seen from anyone. Butler was on a tear throughout. Basically doing whatever he wanted.
We’ll see if he can continue this high level of play against the New York Knicks. Game 1 of this series kicks off on Sunday, April 30.