Fans go crazy as Miami Heat set NBA record for free-throw attempts
The Miami Heat came away with a one-point win against the OKC Thunder on Tuesday night. However, after setting an NBA record for most free throws attempted and made without a miss, fans couldn't help but react to the news from the game.
The Miami Heat have been a wildly inconsistent team this season. While they haven't suffered from injury issues like last season for the most part, the Heat haven't been able to produce favorable results.
Coming off a heartbreaking loss against the Brooklyn Nets on Monday, Miami heads into a back-to-back fixture against the Thunder. While the team managed to salvage the game with a win, the Heat made history in an unlikely manner.
In a 112-111 win, Miami set an NBA record by attempting and scoring 40 free throws during the game against the Thunder. With Heat star Jimmy Butler leading the way with 23 free throw attempts of his own, Miami practically lived on a charity stripe in this game.
In this regard, it was also almost fitting that Miami notched a win on the back of a clutch FT to complete a three-point play for Butler in the dying moments of the game.
JIMMY BUTLER'S AND-1 WINS THE GAME AND GIVES THE @MiamiHEAT A NEW NBA-RECORD OF 40 FREE THROWS WITHOUT A MISS 🤯 https://t.co/AZMDhUbWf8
NBA fans were in awe of the Heat's record-breaking night. Some fans sent in their reactions to the game as well. Here are some of the best reactions from Twitter:
@NBA @MiamiHEAT LEGENDARY. 🔥🔥
@NBA @MiamiHEAT Heat needed 40 free throws to beat the thunder at home 🤣🤣🤣
@NBA @MiamiHEAT dreadful officiating is a theme in 2022-2023
@NBA @MiamiHEAT 40 FTs to the Thunders 21 FT. doesn't seem rigged at all!
@WorldWideWob Sounds pretty boring
The general tone of awe suggests the surprise of how close the game was considering the sheer difference in FT attempts. However, Miami faced adversities of theirs during the game.
With several starters out of action due to injury, the Miami Heat played with a total of eight available players on their roster. Making the most of what they had, Miami managed to get away with a win purely on effort.
The Miami Heat were severely shorthanded against the Thunder
As mentioned earlier, the Miami Heat haven't suffered from injury issues the same way they did last year. However, the current time frame has seen a completely different scenario emerge.
As things stand, Miami is severely shorthanded. With Bam Adebayo, Kyle Lowry, Tyler Herro, and Duncan Robinson out of the rotation, the Heat were missing some key players from their roster.
While Adebayo, Lowry, and Herro are listed as day-to-day, much to Miami's relief, Robinson and Caleb Martin are expected to miss some time from action. This is a huge hit for Miami considering the role both players have played for the team.
Robinson's injury also comes at a rather unfortunate juncture for Miami. With the sharpshooter being one of the primary assets Miami has put up for trade, the Heat may face struggles moving forward.
In this regard, the Heat managed to walk away with a much-needed win on Tuesday night. Although it came on the back of a record-breaking performance on the charity stripe, the Miami Heat fought hard.
Jimmy Butler led the way with 35 points for the game. Playing 38 minutes on the night with intensity on both ends of the floor, Miami's lone superstar continues to impress.
Helping the team stay afloat in 22-23, the Heat will hope to see their core players return to action soon.