News

WATCH: Jimmy Butler Leads Heat To Game 3 Victory Setting Up Pivotal Game 4

The Lakers took their foot off the gas in game three, as has been their modus operandi this year. With two of the Heat’s starters and two of their three best players, Goran Dragic and Bam Adebayo out for games’ two and three, it seemed like we would get an anti-climactic NBA Finals that ended in a sweep. But two things happened: the Lakers let their foot off the gas, and Jimmy Butler said ‘no f—ing way.’ Butler, who has been the culture setter of Miami’s unlikely playoff run, dropped a 40 point triple-double in the Heat’s 115-104 win, joining Jerry West and his opponents LeBron James as the only three players to accomplish that feat.

Now, game four feels like a game seven. It is possible that the Lakers just let up a little and will turn it back on Tuesday and run the Heat out of Orlando, or if the Heat can get Adebayo or Dragic back for game three and give the Heat a much-needed boost then this could become a real series very fast.

The Lakers have had a relatively easy path to the Finals, and it seemed like they were going to have as easy of a title as you can get. But this Heat team is tough. Very tough. And if they can win game four, they will not be going away. LeBron doesn’t seem too worried. “I know how resilient that bunch is and how resilient that coaching staff is and their franchise,” James said. “Also, I don’t feel like we’re concerned. We’re not concerned. We know we can play a lot better. We have another opportunity to take a commanding lead on Tuesday.” But maybe he should be.

Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter!

A week of sports news in your in-box.
We find the sports news you need to know, so you don't have to.

 

Nico Ribadeneyra

Recent Posts

Kylian Mbappé Brushes Off Ankle Scare As France Reaches Third Straight World Cup Semifinal

Kylian Mbappé calmed fears over his fitness after limping off late in France's 2-0 World…

12 hours ago

Six Teams Vie For LeBron James In Free Agency – Cavaliers Appear To Have The Edge

LeBron James is a free agent for the first time since 2018, and six teams…

13 hours ago

Spurs Play-by-Play Voice Jacob Tobey Out Amid Cheating Allegation

San Antonio Spurs television announcer Jacob Tobey is no longer with the organization, days after…

13 hours ago

Penn State Nittany Lions 2026-2027 Season Outlook: Schedule, Odds & Tickets

The 2025 season was a massive letdown in Happy Valley. Penn State entered last season…

14 hours ago

Missed Chances Define Colombia’s World Cup Exit Against Switzerland

Colombia's 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign came to a heartbreaking end after a penalty shootout…

14 hours ago

15-Year-Old Ida Wobker Disqualified From Wimbledon After Racket-Throwing Incident

German junior tennis player Ida Wobker, 15, was disqualified from Wimbledon's girls' singles tournament after…

2 days ago