NBA Finals: Butler’s record-breaking performance keeps Heat alive

After Game 2 of the ongoing NBA Finals, Jimmy Butler had said “It’s not over”. He made sure he lived up to his statement in Game 3 as Miami Heat beat LA Lakers 115-104 in Game 3. Butler recorded a 40-point triple double (40p, 11r, 13a) to keep Heat alive in the series at 2-1.

With Goran Dragic and Bam Adebayo unavailable for the Game 3, Butler lived upto his superstar billing to become the third player in league history to record such a stat line in the Finals, and the first to do so in a win. Butler became only the third player after Jerry West and LeBron James to record a 40-point triple-double in NBA Finals history. He is also the first player since Shaquille O’Neal in 2002 to score 40 points without attempting a 3-pointer, as per an NBA release.

“We won. I could care less about a triple-double. We play this game to win. We are here to win, we are here to compete. But we’re not going to lay down, we’re going to fight back in this thing, even it up 2-2,” said Butler after the win.

Heat got off to a great start taking a double-digit lead in the first quarter, but the Lakers fought back and stayed within touching distance of Heat’s score. As Anthony Davis struggled with fouls and turnovers, Butler scored 11 points in the second quarter maintain Heat’s lead.

Read More: https://www.bhaskarlive.in/nba-finals-butlers-record-breaking-performance-keeps-heat-alive/