40-40 from the free-throw line: Miami Heat break NBA record, Jimmy Butler wins cap

40-40 from the free-throw line: Miami Heat break NBA record, Jimmy Butler wins cap

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Oklahoma City Thunder v Miami Heat
Megan Briggs/Getty Images

The Miami Heat would have come out victorious in one way or another Tuesday night.They were playing without four starters, with Dewayne Dedmon Exited early in the second quarter, the Heat basically had to play the entire game with just seven players. A historic free throw was needed, but Miami beat the visiting Thunder 112-111.

Jimmy Butler led the charge with 35 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 steals and 3 blocks. Get this: He took free throws from his line he was 23-for-23 (he shot more than his team in the Thunder) with 12.9 seconds remaining to take the win. 3 points he capped off his night on the play.

Indeed, that game-winning free throw by Butler took the Heat to an NBA record of 40-40 from the game’s charity stripe. The 39 previous records held by the Utah Jazz had stood since 1982. In fact, I call it downright boring. That said, it’s especially impressive for a Miami team that averaged 22.4 free throws per game.

With the win, the Heat improved to 20-18 and remained the 8th seed in the East. They are just two games away from his No. 6 Pacers, which allows them to get out of the play-ins, but just three losses away from the lottery spot.

A big plus for Miami: Victor Oladipo continued to play solid, scoring 19 points, four rebounds, four assists and two steals. He’s averaged 17 points on his 3-point shots on his 41% of his last six games, and his defense has been pretty devastating. Miami has hurt their defense in the past offseason when he lost a big piece to PJ his Tucker and stretched the bench. Oladipo could be the man to fill those holes when it comes to the postseason.



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