Jimmy Butler didn’t allow the Lakers to win the title after Game 5, as the Heat forward once again posted an epic performance. Miami defeated the LAL, 111-108, following a very intense and hard battle, and now awaits the next contest and a chance to make this series one of the most interesting ever.
Butler had another triple-double, with 35 buckets, 12 boards, and 11 assists, with 5 steals and a block. Jimmy B shot 11-for-19 from the field, and was perfect from the free-throw line with 12 made baskets, all that in 47 minutes on the court.
On the opposite end, the Lakers had LBJ who dopped 40 buckets, had 13 rebounds and seven assists with three steals. King James was even better in shooting 15-for-21, making six threes in nine attempts.
The two had another showdown, and yet Butler was the one who came out as the winner.
This was an extremely tough and exhausting event, with Miami leading most of the time, but with the Lakers constantly coming back after them.
After a 7-0 run to start the final period, and reach a 93-82 lead, the Heat allowed the Lakers to rally. The purple and gold took the advantage following a 17-5 burst that saw them getting a three-point edge, 99-96 at 5:28 left.
Those last minute of the match were extremely tough, with Butler and James having a game of their own. However, Spoelstra’s superb defensive approach saved the game for the Heat, as he allowed James to take the ball, only to send three players on him while driving towards the basket. LBJ had to pass, finding Danny Green, who missed a three at seven seconds to go.
On the other side, Tyler Herro made both free throws, to pull the Heat away to 111-108. James missed a three to tie the match and that was it.
Anthony Davis scored 28 points and had 12 rebounds with three assists, blocks, and steals in 42 minutes. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope added 16, while Green had 8 points.
For the Heat, Duncan Robinson followed Butler with 26 points, seven threes in 13 attempts, five rebounds, and two assists. Kendrick Nunn played his role very well, with 14 points off the bench, 6-for-11 from the field.
Herro had 12 points, Jae Crowder 11, and Bam Adebayo 13, with four boards.
Interestingly the difference, in the end, was in three free throws. The Heat had 21 hits in 22 tries, the Lakers 18 in 21. Both teams had the same field goal hits, 38, 14 threes each.
Game 6 is this Sunday night.
