The Miami Heats 116-114 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 2 included among the strangest endings to an NBA championship game in current memory. When the Heat took a nine-point lead with less than two minutes staying in the fourth quarter degenerated into a strange series of calls and miscues, what seemed like a foregone conclusion.
It was just proper that a video game in which players were whistled for an overall of 51 personal fouls was eventually fixed by the administration of justice. Not so long ago, shooting fouls on 3-point attempts were a fairly unusual occurrence in NBA games. But on Wednesday night, the Bucks and Heat were called for 7 of them. At issue for the video game authorities: defenders yielding sufficient landing area for boundary shooters, a point of emphasis for the league in current seasons.
The top-seeded Bucks fell behind 2-0 in the Eastern conference semifinals series when it was all over. After winning three-quarters of their regular-season games over the previous 2 seasons, Milwaukee risks falling shy of the Finals as a favorite for the 2nd consecutive season. If the Bucks stage a comeback, theyll have to mount it versus a positive, focused, sweet-shooting Heat group whose defensive activity looks every bit as pesky as that of the Bucks vaunted, top-ranked unit.
For sheer phenomenon, the closing moments of Game 2 deserve another look, with commentary from those who existed.– Kevin Arnovitz
MORE: Watching Game 2 with Bucks owner Marc Lasry
19.8 seconds left: Heat 113, Bucks 107
As officials reviewed the previous out-of-bounds call, the Bucks gathered on the sideline, resulting in a delay-of-game infraction. The confusion led Milwaukee to call a timeout, giving coach Mike Budenholzer an opportunity to prepare a play.
Goran Dragic, Heat guard: We were up 11 points, they called an ostentatious nasty on Bam [Adebayo], then they get offensive rebound and shoot a 3 so its generally from 11 points down to 5 to 3. It was simply a hard video game in general.
Mike Budenholzer, Bucks coach: We are carrying out and getting great looks and securing free tosses, getting turnovers and takes. I believe there were some excellent plays defensively and offensively in the last 20 seconds and there are a couple things we wish went a various method.
Erik Spoelstra, Heat coach: Emotionally you have six-point lead going down the stretch however you understand that you have to carry out, have the ability to get a number of baskets since you know how fast theyre going to get up the court and they do provide some difficulties there. We didnt handle it perfectly (laughs) as you can tell but well utilize those teaching minutes tomorrow.
15.0 seconds left, Heat 113, Bucks 109
After Giannis Antetokounmpos dunk cut Miamis result in 4, the Heat picked not to call a timeout and inbounded from the baseline. The Bucks didnt foul, instead trapping Jimmy Butler in the backcourt.
Jimmy Butler is fouled in the corner as time expires and knocks down the game-winning totally free tosses to give the Heat a 2-0 series lead.
When the guy is dribbling and getting his rhythm going, like hes got 4 seconds, hes not going to pass the ball, hes going to shoot the ball. Im simply going to look at the play to see if it was the right play.
Middleton: Its certainly tough to head out like that, where we didnt even get an opportunity at all with no time on the clock. I do not believe Ive seen that before, in a regular-season or championship game. Its absolutely a difficult method to go out.
On Wednesday night, the Bucks and Heat were called for seven of them. If the Bucks phase a resurgence, theyll have to install it against a confident, focused, sweet-shooting Heat team whose protective activity looks every bit as pesky as that of the Bucks vaunted, top-ranked unit.
Jimmy Butler, Heat guard: I tried to shoot it in their basket, certainly, and I practically made it. The Heat used their last timeout to set up one last play. Tyler Herro, Heat guard: Thank God Jimmy got fouled.
Butler: Thats the godfather, guy. Thats the OG. A big factor why Im here, obviously. However I said time and time once again, he desired me here and thats the very best feeling to understand that youre wanted in an organization and they desire you as a gamer, they want what you can give the table. He has a lot trust and belief in my abilities. It just trickles down the line, man. Im thankful for him, Spo, all of these knuckleheads I get to hoop with. Its a true blessing being here in Miami.
The Heat now lead the series 2-0. Video game 3 is set for Friday.
ESPNs Eric Woodyard, Nick Friedell and Tim Bontemps added to this story.
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pic.twitter.com/gZqw38HL95— ESPN (@espn) September 3, 2020.
Butler: I think theres no fans on any totally free throws. So its kind of the same, its just various whenever– like no one on the line at the end of the video game. But you step up and you make one, whichs the ballgame so I felt like I did that, did my task, which part of it, it was various, however its still a complimentary shot.
Marc Lasry, Bucks owner (in a postgame text to ESPNs Jackie MacMullan): To lose a game like that. Its simply incorrect.
AP Photo/Mark J. TerrillAs Butler walked off the court, he spotted Heat president Pat Riley in the crowd.
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Spoelstra: We had a number of various choices to that play. Doesnt take a genius to understand that we were going to get the ball in Jimmys mitts and see what can occur from there, and he was really patient. 4 seconds left, I think a lot of players would most likely be rushed. He took his time; he was going to attempt to get to his area.
Butler: It was an iso, Goran made a helluva pass on the incoming, then just wait on the clock to head out. A step-back jumper and I got fouled, pressed me in the back. (shrugs) Cant deny that.
Antetokounmpo: I have not seen the play. Ive got ta go watch the play once again. Tried to make it tough for Jimmy. The ref said that there was contact there, maybe there was, I got ta see the play. It is what it is.
Tyler Herro, Heat guard: Thank God Jimmy got fouled. We got the ball to our best player and he got and made a play fouled and torn down the two totally free tosses. We wanted to win so bad.
Budenholzer: We are dissatisfied with the judgment and choice on the timing. It is a difficult task and I have a great deal of respect for the authorities, the crew tonight. It is not a simple task and of course we have our methods of seeing things.
Jimmy Butler hits the free toss for the win! pic.twitter.com/7L5cGaUwSi— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) September 3, 2020.
Jimmy Butler, Heat guard: I attempted to shoot it in their basket, certainly, and I almost made it. I do not understand why I threw the ball so high like Goran could jump that high and grab it. Thats in fact an awful IQ play.
8.5 seconds left: Heat 113, Bucks 111.
With their lead trimmed to 2 points, the Heat chose to call timeout and advance the ball to half court. Butler corralled the inbounds pass and was instantly fouled, sending him to the line for 2 free tosses.
7.7 seconds left: Heat 114, Bucks 111.
After Butler split his free tosses, Milwaukee called timeout and reinserted Khris Middleton, who had actually gone to the bench during the previous timeout since he had five fouls. He went up for a potential game-tying 3-pointer with 4.3 seconds left, and Dragic was whistled for a nasty for entering Middletons landing location.
Spoelstra: They say its a kick, I say its not, so theyre right at the end of the day. Thats what I inform our gamers all the time. You can argue or not, they made the call whichs the call and after that go to the replay and still make the call. Theres no argument there.
Spoelstra: From our viewpoint were fouling excessive on shooters. 2 straight video games, whether we concur or not concur. We need to be more disciplined. Those are expensive plays, the 3-point fouls.
4.3 seconds left: Heat 114, Bucks 114.
The Heat utilized their final timeout to set up one last play. Butler got the ball, dribbled down the clock and took a step-back standard jumper just before the buzzer.
Jimmy Butler sees Pat Riley & & states “Youre healthy, so we do not got ta stress over no heart attacks” pic.twitter.com/ZyLJ9tO8yJ— Taylor Rooks (@TaylorRooks) September 3, 2020.
Khris Middleton goes up for a 3 and gets fouled by Goran Dragic, making all three complimentary tosses to connect the video game at 114-114 with 4.3 seconds remaining.
Jimmy Butler gets caught in the corner and throws the ball away, resulting in a Brook Lopez container with 8.5 seconds staying.
