Jimmy Butler, Heat set NBA free throw record, beat OKC 112-111

Jimmy the butler took the last free throw of the night, then dropped to his knees and seemed unsure of what would happen when the ball hit the edge.

Turns out, it’s perfect – and so is it miami on Tuesday night.

The Heat set a NBA record by taking all of their 40 free throws, the last of which came from Butler’s three-pointer with 12.9 seconds left, and regrouped in the final moments to defeat Oklahoma City Thunder 112-111.

Miami topped effort 39 eats 39 by Wyoming against Portland on December 7, 1982.

Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said: “It was just a normal Tuesday night for the Miami Heat. “I think this is when we feel the most alive, when everything just happened and when all of our competitive spirit kicks in. It’s a team we can all relate to. That’s the team I like.”

Here’s just some of what happened on Tuesday – the Heat played without six injured players, including four starting players; backup heat center Dewayne Dedmon was kicked off the field after arguing with his team and slamming a massage gun on the field while playing from the sidelines; Miami owns six points in the fourth round; and Josh Giddey had a triple double for the Thunder.

Oh, and the log from the line.

“First of all, give them credit for that,” Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said. “So impressive.”

Butler scored 35 points and was 23 out of 23 from the line, marking the second-most scoring streak not to miss in NBA history. James Harden make 24 without miss for Houston on December 3, 2019 and Dirk Nowitzki did 24 no-misses dalas in a knockout match against the Thunder on May 17, 2011. Dominique Wilkins also won 23–23 in a match in 1992.

“We won,” Butler said. “The whole team worked hard. I’m proud of my boys.”

Max Strus scored 22 points and Victor Oladipo there are 19 for Miami. The Heat don’t have four regular starts – Tyler Herro, Bam Adebayo, Kyle Lowry and Caleb Martin – because of an injury.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 26 points for the Thunder. Giddey finished with 18 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assists, taking a brace after one assist Aaron Wiggins‘ dunk to take a 111-106 lead with 1:28 left.

Miami scored the last six points.

“Whatever it takes to win,” Butler said.

Miami led 89-88 in the fourth inning, and with Butler on the bench – he played the whole third inning – the Thunder took advantage. They scored the first six points of the final inning, leading by more than three points for the first time when Bamboo Men connected on a jump with 9:20 left to lead 94-89.

But owning six points gave Miami the lead. Oladipo steals and strikes Thunder Eugene Omoruyi Called for a clear foul. Oladipo made both free throws, and as he continued to hold the ball in Miami, Gabe Vincent hit a 3-pointer when fouled by Mann. Vincent takes the free throw, and just like that, a 96-91 deficit leads 97-96.

“We’re always talking about finding a way to win. … This is a good start to that,” Butler said.

Associated Press report.

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