“There’s no way he thought that was the answer”: Jimmy Butler trolls Grant Williams as Heat take 2-0 Conference Finals lead
Jimmy Butler and the Miami Heat have taken a commanding 2-0 lead in the Eastern Conference Finals against the Boston Celtics. Miami is now two games away from avenging last year’s loss and from punching a ticket to the NBA Finals.
After Butler’s virtuoso Game 1 performance, the Celtics adjusted by putting Grant Williams on him. The burly forward eventually talked trash and butted heads with arguably the playoffs’ best player.
The result didn’t go well with the Celtics as the Heat came from behind to stun the home crowd. Here’s what Butler had to say as he walked off the court regarding Williams’ strategy:
“Come on man. There’s no way he thought that was the answer. There’s no way. There’s no way. There’s no way…Y’all know better. Y’all know better…”
https://t.co/yBMKt0Uzu5
Grant Williams hit a three with 6:36 left in the game to push Boston’s lead to 96-87. He got into Jimmy Butler’s ear who only smirked at what Williams had to say.
From that point on, the Miami Heat uncorked a 24-9 run with “Jimmy Buckets” scoring nine of those points.
Miami’s six-time All-Star thrives off criticism and people who doubt him. The Celtics know him very well after facing the Heat in three of the last four conference finals.
Butler, one one good knee, terrorized the Boston Celtics’ top-ranked defense last season. Williams should have known that he only gets better when someone riles him up or talks trash to him.
Miami’s best player played a team-high 41 minutes and finished with 27 points, eight rebounds, six assists, three steals and two blocks. Like in Game 1, he was unquestionably the best player again in the Heat’s resounding win.
Unlike Jimmy Butler, Jayson Tatum disappeared again in crucial moments for the Boston Celtics
Jayson Tatum and Jimmy Butler are unquestionably the two best players in the Eastern Conference Finals. Tatum was selected to the All-NBA first team this season while Butler was named to the second.
With the way both players have been playing, the league may have gotten the selection wrong. Butler has been decisive and the most clutch player in the series. Tatum has disappeared for the second straight game.
The Boston Celtics' best player had 14 points in the first half and then erupted for 15 points in the third quarter. It looked like he was on his way to another spectacular bounce back game. "JT" is 9-0 in Game 2s in his career, which seemed like he was going to explode.
Jayson Tatum in the 4th quarter this series:
0 field goals
5 turnovers https://t.co/LfPrAZKJPU
During Miami's searing fourth quarter comeback, Jayson Tatum attempted only two field goals, missing both of them. He also didn't attempt even one shot in Game 1. He has been outplayed by the Heat's unheralded Caleb Martin for long stretches in the series.
For the series to avoid a sweep, Tatum has to get back on track. For two consecutive games in front of the Celtics' home fans, he has shrunk from the big lights.
If he can't shake out of this lethargic showing, Jimmy Butler might not have to return to Boston to close out the series.
Also read: What shoes does Jimmy Butler wear? Finding out more