Jimmy Butler led the Miami Heat to win the Florida derby 90-107. The local star was uncovered with 36 points, 5 steals and a near perfect 15 of 21 shooting from the field.
Jimmy is an elite scorer. He is also an elite creator and an elite defender. He can do a lot of different things on the track ”, highlighted coach Erik Spoelstra in the middle. ESPN.
Butler made 10 shots from middle distance last night. In the previous two games, he barely connected 12 of 32 attempts. «I have made the same shots. They just entered me tonight. I let my defense lead to my attack, ”Butler admitted.
His teammate Bam Adebayo supported the Heat’s offense with 16 points and 13 rebounds; and backup Markieff Morris contributed another 16 points. For his part, Tyler Herro added 13 points, 9 assists and 5 rebounds.
The Miami Heat reaped a perfect 19 of 19 in free throws, their second best all-time record after 30 of 30 on March 24, 1993 against the Boston Celtics.
Orlando Magic, who had just won in New York after coming back in the second half, tried again against Miami, but this time they fell short in their attempt after being very close at the beginning of the fourth period (86-77). A 12-2 run for Erik Spoelstra’s men in the last six minutes would break the match.
“We are a very young team,” admitted RJ Hampton. “Facing experienced teams like Miami, New York or San Antonio is going to benefit us,” he said.
Rookies Franz Wagner and Jalen Suggs added 15 points each; Cole Anthony had 12 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists; and the aforementioned Hampton contributed 12 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists from the bench.
(Cover photo: Cliff Hawkins / Getty Images)