In the final seconds of Game 5 of Miami’s first-round series against the Milwaukee Bucks, Heat coach Erik Spoelstra initially planned to give the ball to someone other than Jimmy Butler to attempt to tie the game. However, when Butler was informed of this plan, he insisted on taking the shot himself. Butler converted a perfect pass from Gabe Vincent to throw in a tying bucket for two of his 42 points on the night with 0.5 seconds to go in regulation. The Heat eventually won the game 128-126 in overtime.
Heat Claim Victory in Back-to-Back Comebacks
Miami was in position to close out the series in Game 5 only because of a stunning comeback in the closing minutes of Game 4, one that saw the Heat overcome a 14-point fourth-quarter deficit behind a staggering 56 points from Butler. When Miami was down 16 at the start of the fourth quarter in Game 5, it seemed unlikely the Heat would be able to pull off a repeat performance away from home. Instead, the Bucks allowed the Heat to slowly but surely drag themselves back into the game, to the point where Butler converted an and-one layup and a 3-pointer on back-to-back possessions to tie the game with 2 minutes, 11 seconds to go in regulation.
Bucks Fall in Shocking Fashion
The Heat claimed a four games-to-one series victory that sent the Bucks crashing out of the playoffs in shocking fashion. The Bucks were the consensus favorites to win the NBA title at sportsbooks entering the playoffs. Milwaukee was around a -1,200 favorite to defeat Miami in their opening-round series. The top seed in the East has seen its season end in stunning fashion far earlier than expected.
The Heat Move On to Face the Knicks
The Heat are moving on to face the New York Knicks in a renewal of one of the classic rivalries in NBA history, which will tip off Sunday afternoon at Madison Square Garden. Meanwhile, the Bucks are now being discussed in a much less enjoyable part of NBA history: being on the losing end of an upset on a scale that few others can approach.
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