The Miami Heat failed to keep that same intensity and momentum going in Game 3 of the series.
The NBA Finals traveled to South Beach for Games 3 and 4, and they missed a great opportunity to level the scale in their favor by taking a 2-1 series lead.
The Denver Nuggets took the floor by storm and played with more sense of urgency, looking to make a statement from the jump en route to a double-digit victory.
That’s why Jay Williams believes Jimmy Butler failed his team.
"Jimmy Butler failed the Miami Heat."
😳 @RealJayWilliams pic.twitter.com/JRjELf7qXg
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) June 8, 2023
The former NBA player explained that even though Butler admitted he needs to do better, he thinks he needs to set the tone defensively by locking up Jamal Murray, who he called the head of the snake for the Nuggets.
Williams pointed out that Butler was caught sleeping multiple times early in the game in pick-and-roll action featuring Murray, playing laidback defense instead of showing some urgency to set the tone defensively early.
Butler is the best perimeter defender they have — and one of the best defenders in the league as a whole, so there’s no excuse for him freelancing on that end of the floor.
Even when his shot isn’t falling, Butler often finds ways to impact the game with his defense and playmaking, which is why it was kind of odd to see him kind of taking some possessions off on defense.
Still, this Heat team has proved that you can never count them out, and they’ll most definitely bounce back and show some teeth in their next matchup.
NEXT: Udonis Haslem Made NBA History In Game 3
