Jimmy Butler has gone through controversies and not many are convinced he alone can help the Miami Heat cop the 2019-20 NBA title. Seeing how the South Beach squad is now in a 1-3 hole, Butler will need all the help he can get to lead his team past the surging Los Angeles Lakers.
But even before that, there were already some NBA insiders who believed that Butler was incapable of leading the Heat to the title. Regardless, the 31-year-old has been giving a good impression by towing Miami this far. And his game three performance was perhaps something that rebuffed critics, showing everyone that he can step up if he chooses.
However, it remains that while Butler can explode when he wants, he cannot do it alone. The return of Bam Adebayo provided a big lift to Miami and it took some timely three-pointers from the Lakers side to pull off the game 4 win. That game could have gone either way. If those shots did not connect, the Heat had a fighting chance to level the series.
But now, the odds are stacked against the Heat. Though there are teams who have shown being capable of clawing back from a 1-3 hole, the fact remains that this is a team that has two of the league’s best players – LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Also, the Lakers seem focused and dialed in to end their NBA title drought.
The only thing the Lakers will have to fear is themselves. Closing out a series is never easy and that is the pressure seen on the purple and gold. For the Heat, they just need to do whatever they have been doing the past season – play their game.
Remember, the Heat were not among the teams picked to make it this far. Some felt they would not make the playoffs. This is a rebuilding team and reaching this far is already an accomplishment for them.
For Butler, he is expected to try and come out smoking once more. Adebayo could play better but Goran Dragic will remain out. He has been listed as doubtful anew and his injury is likely to keep him from playing in the NBA Finals.
Tyler Herro, Kendrick Nunn and Duncan Robinson need to step up. They have shown that they are no pushovers and game 5 of the finals should be an interesting one. The Heat will not just roll over and had the title to the Lakers. Los Angeles needs to earn it to wrap up the title and the season.
