MIAMI — Jimmy Butler grabbed the last free throw of the night, then crouched a little and seemed almost unsure what was going to happen as the ball found its way to the edge.
It turned out to be perfect — and so did Tuesday night’s Miami Heat.
They set an NBA record by making all 40 of their free throws, the last to come on Butler’s three-point game with 12.9 seconds left, and rallied around the Oklahoma City Thunder in the final moments to beat 112-111.
Miami topped Utah’s 39-for-39 effort against Portland on December 7, 1982.
“It’s a normal Tuesday night for the Miami Heat,” said coach Erik Spoelstra. “I think that’s the moment we feel most alive, when everything just happens and when all our competitive juices are coming out. This is the team we can all identify with. That’s the team I like.”
1 relatives
Just a few of Tuesday’s events: The Heat played without six injured players, including four starters; Backup Heat center Dewayne Dedmon was sacked after getting into an argument with his own team and smashing a massage gun onto the court from the touchline during the game; Miami had six-point possession in the fourth quarter; and Josh Giddey had a triple-double for the Thunder.
Oh, and the record from the line.
“First and foremost, that’s thanks to them,” said Thunder coach Mark Daigneault. “This is impressive.”
Butler scored 35 points and was 23-to-23 from the line, tying for the second most clean-shooting makes in NBA history. James Harden scored 24 clean shots for Houston on December 3, 2019 in a playoff game against The Thunder and Dirk Nowitzki scored 24 clean shots for Dallas on May 17, 2011 in a playoff game against The Thunder in the 1992 game.
“We won,” said Butler. “Complete team effort. I’m proud of my boys.”
Max Strus scored 22 points and Victor Oladipo had 19 for Miami. The Heat was missing four regular starters through injury – Tyler Herro, Bam Adebayo, Kyle Lowry and Caleb Martin.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 26 points for the Thunder. Giddey finished the tournament with 18 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assists, earning the triple-double with an assist that set up Aaron Wiggin’s dunk 111-106 and 1:28 ahead.
Miami scored the last six points.
“Whatever it takes to win,” Butler said.
Miami led 89-88 into the fourth quarter, and with Butler on the bench after playing the entire third quarter, the Thunder took advantage. They scored the first six points of the final period and took a lead by more than three points for the first time when Tre Mann connected with a knight at 9:20 for a 94:89 lead.
But six-point possession gave Miami the lead back. Oladipo made a steal and Thunder center Eugene Omoruyi was called for a clear path foul. Oladipo made both free throws, and with Miami’s continued possession, Gabe Vincent made a 3-pointer while being fouled by Mann. Vincent made the free throw and a 96:91 deficit was a 97:96 lead.
“We always talk about finding a way to win. … That’s a good start for that,” Butler said.