The Miami Heat just pulled off one of the most stunning upsets in NBA history.
Their movie-like first-round series was full of memorable moments, but none of those were as memorable as Jimmy Butler’s game-tying shot in regulation.
Moreover, that wasn’t what coach Erik Spoelstra wanted to do.
New ESPN story: As Erik Spoelstra attempted to draw up a play for someone else for a game-tying shot at the end of regulation, Jimmy Butler had other ideas.
“Let me be that guy.”
Spoelstra listened, Butler delivered — again — and the Heat made history.https://t.co/d2V9dcW9Gs
— Tim Bontemps (@TimBontemps) April 27, 2023
According to a report by ESPN’s Tim Bontemps, Spoelstra was drawing up a different play for someone else to take the shot, and then Butler reached out to him and asked him to be “that guy.”
Spoelstra trusted his star, and he delivered — as per usual — forcing overtime and eventually capping off the comeback with a win.
Gabe Vincent threw a lob pass, and Butler somehow pushed the ball inside the rim while falling down, all in theatrical fashion to make this moment even more epic.
Jimmy Buckets had one of the all-time greatest performances in any playoff series, willing his teammates to take down the team with the best record in the league this season.
Now, the Heat will travel to the Big Apple to square off with the New York Knicks, who also took care of business in just five games to upset the No. 4 seed Cleveland Cavaliers, in the ultimate battle of underdogs.
Butler has proven to be a playoff riser and a guy you could trust your life with when the season is on the line, so fans can’t wait to see him taking over Madison Square Garden and keeping up this historical postseason run in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
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