Philippines, 23 Jan 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Second Overtime: Butler ruins LeBron's party plans


PhilBoxing.com





CHICAGO --- The champagne was ready, cold and eager, and begging to be uncorked.

The Larry O'Brien trophy was in the building, awaiting the warm embrace of those mighty Lakers, who have waited a decade for what would be the 17th championship in franchise history.

It was dubbed as Game 5 of the 2020 NBA Finals but with their superior strength in size and talent, it seemed like coronation night for LeBron James and his purple-and-gold minions.

But Jimmy Butler and the Miami Heat had other plans.

Given up for dead by the pundits after falling off the cliff of a 3-1 series deficit, the Heat clawed back to contention with a bold and intrepid 111-108 Game 5 triumph yesterday.

So instead of flying back home to L.A. on their fancy jet with a shiny hardware being joyously passed around in the cabin, these Lakers were forced to retreat back inside the NBA bubble and prepare for a taxing Game 6 against a stubborn, resurgent foe.

Jimmy Butler, a five-time All-Star often misunderstood for his caustic, demanding ways, balled with impunity and was the main reason why the Lakers are in such a sad, altered state.

Playing all but one minute of the 48-minute thriller, Butler served his second triple-double of the series, this time a 35-point, 12-rebound and 11-assist masterpiece.

"We got two more to get," he said after an exhausting effort on both ends of the floor.

UH, OH.

Looks like the Butler has more to offer from the all-around menu. And the Lakers have real cause for concern.

"His will to win is remarkable," an awestruck Heat coach Erik Speolstra told the The Miami Herald following Butler's exploits. "To do that in 47-plus minutes and take the challenge on the other end," was the difference-maker, Spo added.

But it's not just Butler that L.A. needs to worry about.

Duncan Robinson has finally found his stroke and he used it to swish six threes in Game 5. Kendrick Nunn made off with 14 off the bench while starters Bam Adebayo, Tyler Herro and Jae Crowder rang in a combined 36 points.

Even in defeat, the Lakers controlled the boards, 41-36, dominated the paint scoring, 42-32, and ran away with the fastbreak wars, 25-4.

They will look to duplicate that in Game 6.

But LeBron James and Anthony Davis need help. Both stars combined for 68 points, 25 rebounds and 10 assists in Game 5 and it wasn't enough.

All of a sudden, with the finish line within sight, the Lakers' support cast appear to be wilting under pressure.

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope racked up 16 points but he clanked his last three shots in the final 3:16 of play. Kyle Kuzma went 3-of-10. Rajon Rondo missed six of seven attempts while Morris and Alex Caruso managed just 1-of-5 from the field.

Will the Heat burn again in Game 6 and force a Game 7?

Will the Lakers find a way and take home the glory?

The plot thickens.

The basketball gods heard our prayers. After a one-sided start, an air-tight hell of a championship series is unfolding in our midst.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Homer D. Sayson.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • SATURDAY: Omar Chavez-Misael Rodriguez All-Mexican Super Middleweight Battle to Stream LIVE in the U.S. on ESPN+
    , Thu, 23 Jan 2025
  • NBA: Which Team is Up, Which is Down
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Thu, 23 Jan 2025
  • Lacar is GAB Boxer of the Month
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 23 Jan 2025
  • IBA President and CEO addressed USA President Donald Trump in an open letter
    , Thu, 23 Jan 2025
  • Ancajas to fight Mepranum for PH super bantam title
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 22 Jan 2025
  • PACHECO PLANNING TO LAUNCH BIG YEAR IN STYLE
    , Wed, 22 Jan 2025
  • THREE TITLE SHOWDOWNS ADDED TO LOADED GERVONTA DAVIS VS. LAMONT ROACH PBC PAY-PER-VIEW EVENT ON PRIME VIDEO SATURDAY, MARCH 1
    , Wed, 22 Jan 2025
  • Top Rank Presents Undisputed Super Bantamweight Championship: Naoya Inoue vs. Ye Joon Kim
    , Wed, 22 Jan 2025
  • Bob Santos Inspires Future Leaders During Presidential Inauguration Weekend
    , Wed, 22 Jan 2025
  • Moving Up in Weight: Pros and Cons
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Wed, 22 Jan 2025
  • SMITH: I'M A COUPLE OF FIGHTS AWAY FROM ACHIEVING MY CHILDHOOD DREAMS
    , Wed, 22 Jan 2025
  • World Champion Flips The Switch: BRIAN NORMAN JR. TRAINING NORMAN SR. FOR FEBRUARY 15 FIGHT IN ATLANTA
    , Wed, 22 Jan 2025
  • TEAM USA OLYMPIC MEDALIST OMARI JONES SIGNS PROMOTIONAL DEAL WITH EDDIE HEARN AND MATCHROOM
    , Wed, 22 Jan 2025
  • Servillon to join SNA on Feb. 9
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 22 Jan 2025
  • RFL KICKBOXING: Piore is excited to fight again
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 21 Jan 2025
  • Vladimir Lait eyes another chess title
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 21 Jan 2025
  • Atif Oberlton Stops Berroa in five To Capture WBA Continental Americas Light Heavyweight Title
    , Tue, 21 Jan 2025
  • Cleveland Cavs, OKC Thunder Are For Real
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Mon, 20 Jan 2025
  • DUKC sets another pro boxing event on Feb. 16
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 20 Jan 2025
  • Laylo, Dableo face tough competition in Sta. Maria Town Fiesta Chess Challenge on Feb. 2
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 20 Jan 2025
  • The Past Week in Action 21 January 2025: Khuseyn Baysangurov Defeats Leonardo Sanchez; Sosulin Stops Bacaro; Trinidad Outponts Plania
    By Eric Armit, , Mon, 20 Jan 2025
  • Cebuana Lhuillier Tennis Ambassador AJ Lim Set to Represent the Philippines in International Tennis Tournaments
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 20 Jan 2025
  • Ed’s smiling in heaven
    By Joaquin Henson, , Sun, 19 Jan 2025
  • Vladimir Lait tops Don Tomas Mapua Centennial Chess Presents GM Eugene Torre Rapid Tournament
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 19 Jan 2025
  • Trip down memory lane: Pacquiao receives warm Sablayan welcome
    , Sun, 19 Jan 2025




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2025 philboxing.com.