Jimmy Butler Makes Circus Layup to Force OT in Heat’s Series-Clinching Win
The Heat just pulled off one of the most stunning moments of the season, forcing overtime against the Bucks in Game 5 thanks to some late heroics from Jimmy Butler, as well as some questionable decision-making from Milwaukee.
Miami trailed by double-digits in the fourth quarter, but stormed back late to tie things up with two minutes to play. A wild finish saw Milwaukee take a two-point lead with just seconds remaining when Jrue Holiday split a pair of free-throw attempts.
On the ensuing inbounds play, at last-ditch effort for the Heat, Butler caught a pass from Gabe Vincent in midair with one hand, and used that same hand to put a heavily contested shot, somehow coming away with the game-tying basket with 0.5 seconds remaining despite having Pat Connaughton draped all over him.
All the while, Milwaukee coach Mike Budenholzer held onto Milwaukee’s final timeout—even though there was time remaining to advance the ball and run a final play for the win.
The circus shot to force overtime gave Butler 40 points on the evening, as he turned in yet another stellar performance. Miami would go on to win in overtime, sealing a shocking 4–1 series victory over the 2021 NBA champions.
