According to the Last 2 Minute report for yesterday’s Game 4, Jimmy Butler was denied 2 free throws with 24 seconds left and the Heat leading 107-106.
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The Heat led for nearly the entire length of the game yesterday, but blew their lead in the 4th quarter. They received valuable contributions from Bam Adebayo (26 points, 12 rebounds, 8 assists), Duncan Robinson (20 points, 6 3-pointers) and Jae Crowder (18 points, 6 3-pointers). But they couldn’t close the deal on what could have been a series sweep of the top-seeded Bucks.
Jimmy Butler denied 2 free throws according to L2M report
In one of the calls reviewed by the referees, Jimmy Butler was hit on the left elbow by Eric Bledsoe as he put the ball out of play. The referees called it Heat ball, but only an out-of-bounds play and not a foul. They went to the replay center to review their calls, and despite seeing clearly that Bledsoe had slapped Butler, they had no option but to reverse the call since Butler had himself put the ball out of play.
NBA officiating report says Butler should have gotten 2 free throws with 24.2 seconds left with Heat up 107-106 in 4th Sunday. Instead Bucks tied it and forced OT. NBA: “Hill (MIL) moves laterally into Butler’s (MIA) shoulder and initiates contact that affects his shot attempt.”
— Ira Winderman (@IraHeatBeat) September 7, 2020
Butler made no excuses in the post-game interview, however. He realized that the Heat had blown a great opportunity to wrap up the series. He also recognized that it was their fault they didn’t score for over 5 and a half minutes in the 4th quarter. According to Butler, they took their foot off the gas a bit once Giannis left the court with his injury, and that cost them the game.
