Butler showed great determination ahead of Game 4.
The Miami Heat lost to the Denver Nuggets 94-109 in Game 3 of the 2022-2023 NBA FINAL held at the Kaseya Center on the 8th (hereinafter Korean time). It was a game played at home, but the atmosphere of winning the second leg could not be continued.안전놀이터
Even in the first half, both teams continued to play closely. In Miami, ace Jimmy Butler (201cm, F) and Bam Adebayo (206cm, FC) combined for 27 points. In particular, Butler, unlike the previous two games, actively attacked and harassed the opponent. However, he gave up 20 points to Jamal Murray (193cm, G) and regretted not being able to control Nikola Jokic (211cm, C).
Miami started the third quarter with a score of 48-53. A situation that is reversible enough. However, at the beginning of the third quarter, he conceded a point to Jokichi and also to Aaron Gordon (203cm, F). Miami, who couldn’t even control Murray, gave up the atmosphere in an instant. Butler scored 12 points, but it wasn’t enough. The third quarter ended 68-82.
Even in the 4th quarter, Miami couldn’t bring the flow. All internal and external attacks were unresolved. On defense, they allowed Murray 12 points. Miami lost the first home game of the Finals to Denver.
Butler, who scored 28 points but couldn’t prevent his team from losing, said in an interview after the game, “We played at our home. But we couldn’t do anything and lost the game. It can’t happen. You shouldn’t show this kind of performance at home,” he said, expressing his regret for the home defeat.
He continued, “This will never happen again. I’ll focus on defense first. It will block your opponent’s attacks and run into loose balls. If I focus on the dirty work first, my colleagues will follow.”
Butler is averaging 27.3 points, 6.6 rebounds and 5.9 assists in this playoff run, clearly playing the role of the team’s ace. He scores at key moments and is showing the most passion in defense. Butler’s performance has become the center of the Miami storm. Can Miami, which has lost its pride in the third game at home, show a different side in the fourth game? To this end, it is Butler who has reorganized himself and his teammates.