Jimmy Butler Heat set NBA free throw record in win over Thunder
=okizn Butler ties the NBA record for individual perfection at 23-for-23 while the Heat breaks the team record at 40-for-40. Jimmy Butler Heat set NBA free throw record in win over Thunder
Associated Press
January 11, 2023, 6:39 AM
Jimmy Butler shoots 23-for-23 from the line as the Heat make all 40 attempts as a team, breaking the previous mark by one.Jimmy Butler Heat set NBA free throw record in win over Thunder
MIAMI (AP) — Jimmy Butler took the last free throw of the night, then bent his knees a bit and almost seemed unsure what would happen as the ball made its way to the rim.Jimmy Butler Heat set NBA free throw record in win over Thunder
Turns out, it was perfect — and so was Miami on Tuesday night. Jimmy Butler Heat set NBA free throw record in win over Thunder
The Heat set an NBA record by making all 40 of their free throws, the last of those coming on Butler’s three-point play with 12.9 seconds left, and rallied in the final moments to beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 112-111. Jimmy Butler Heat set NBA free throw record in win over Thunder
Miami topped the 39-for-39 effort by Utah against Portland on Dec. 7, 1982.Jimmy Butler Heat set NBA free throw record in win over Thunder
“It’s just a normal Tuesday night for the Miami Heat,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. “I think this is when we feel most alive, when everything just happens and when all of our competitive juices get out there. That’s the team we all can relate to. That’s the team I like.”Jimmy Butler Heat set NBA free throw record in win over Thunder
Here’s just some of what happened Tuesday — the Heat played without six injured players, including four starters; backup Heat center Dewayne Dedmon was ejected after arguing with his own team and smacking a massage gun onto the court during play from the sideline; Miami had a six-point possession in the fourth quarter; and Josh Giddey had a triple-double for the Thunder. Jimmy Butler Heat set NBA free throw record in win over Thunder
Oh, and the record from the line. Jimmy Butler Heat set NBA free throw record in win over Thunder
“Credit them, first of all, for that,” Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said. “That’s impressive.”Jimmy Butler Heat set NBA free throw record in win over Thunder
Butler scored 35 points and was 23 for 23 from the line, tying the second-most makes without a miss in NBA history. James Harden made 24 without a miss for Houston on Dec. 3, 2019, and Dirk Nowitzki made 24 without a miss for Dallas in a playoff game against the Thunder on May 17, 2011. Dominique Wilkins also went 23 for 23 in a game in 1992.Jimmy Butler Heat set NBA free throw record in win over Thunder
“We won,” Butler said. “Complete team effort. I’m proud of my guys.”Jimmy Butler Heat set NBA free throw record in win over Thunder
Max Strus scored 22 points and Victor Oladipo had 19 for Miami. The Heat was without four regular starters — Tyler Herro, Bam Adebayo, Kyle Lowry, and Caleb Martin — because of injuries. Jimmy Butler Heat set NBA free throw record in win over Thunder
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 26 points for the Thunder. Giddey finished with 18 points, 15 rebounds, and 10 assists, getting the triple-double on an assist setting up Aaron Wiggins’ dunk for a 111-106 lead with 1:28 left. Jimmy Butler Heat set NBA free throw record in win over Thunder
Miami scored the final six points. Jimmy Butler Heat set NBA free throw record in win over Thunder
“Whatever it takes to win,” Butler said. Jimmy Butler Heat set NBA free throw record in win over Thunder
Miami led 89-88 going into the fourth, and with Butler on the bench — he had played the entire third quarter — the Thunder took advantage. They scored the first six points of the final period, taking their first lead of larger than three points when Tre Mann connected on a jumper with 9:20 left for a 94-89 lead. Jimmy Butler Heat set NBA free throw record in win over Thunder
But a six-point possession gave Miami the lead back. Oladipo made a steal and Thunder center Eugene Omoruyi was called for a clear path foul. Oladipo made both free throws, and on the continued Miami possession, Gabe Vincent made a 3-pointer while getting fouled by Mann. Vincent made the free throw, and just like that, a 96-91 deficit was a 97-96 lead. Jimmy Butler Heat set NBA free throw record in win over Thunder
“We always talk about finding a way to win. … This is a good start to that,” Butler said. Jimmy Butler Heat set NBA free throw record in win over Thunder
