Jimmy Butler led a record-breaking shooting display from the free-throw line on Tuesday as the Miami Heat edged past the Oklahoma City Thunder 112-111.
Miami talisman Butler finished with a perfect 23 of 23 free throws — including a clutch game-winner with just under 13 seconds remaining — in a nail-biting victory at the FTX Arena.
Butler’s haul was part of a remarkable 40 of 40 free throws made by Miami, breaking the old record of 39 of 39 made by Utah Jazz against the Portland Trailblazers in 1982.
Photo: Rich Storry-USA Today
Butler said afterward that he had been oblivious to Miami’s record-breaking night from the foul line.
“I had no idea,” Butler said. “I’m more excited that we won this game by one point.”
Miami coach Erik Spoelstra was also unaware of his team’s free-throw record.
“I didn’t realize we hadn’t missed a free throw,” Spoelstra said. “We’ve been a very good free-throw shooting team all year, but that’s crazy.”
Miami trailed 111-106 with less than 1 minute remaining, but fought back with a Victor Oladipo three-pointer and a Butler layup to tie the game.
Butler’s 23rd free throw of the night edged Miami into a one-point lead with just under 13 seconds remaining before Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s attempted three-pointer to win it for Oklahoma City bounced off the rim.
“We had to make some plays and we did,” Spoelstra said of his team’s last-minute rally.
Miami improved to 22-20, while the Thunder fell to 18-23.
Elsewhere there were contrasting fortunes for the Philadelphia 76ers’ Joel Embiid and the Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry as they returned from injury.
Sixers ace Embiid had missed three straight games with a minor foot injury heading into Tuesday’s Eastern Conference clash against the lowly Detroit Pistons.
However, the two-time Most Valuable Player runner-up looked back to his dominant self with 36 points in just 23 minutes on court as Philadelphia romped to a 147-116 victory at the Wells Fargo Center.
Embiid’s points tally came from 12-of-20 shooting, while the Sixers big man also chipped in with 11 rebounds and two blocks.
James Harden and Tyrese Maxey added 16 points each, while Tobias Harris had 14 points as Philadelphia led from start to finish to improve to 25-15.
Harden’s points tally was part of a second straight triple-double. The 10-time All-Star added 12 rebounds and 15 assists.
After jumping out to a 65-43 halftime lead, the Sixers cut loose in a blizzard of scoring in the third quarter with 42 points before adding 40 more in the fourth.
Philadelphia remain in fifth place in the East, 3.5 games adrift of leaders the Boston Celtics.
Detroit are rooted to the foot of the table with a dismal 11-33 record, but there was disappointment for Warriors star Curry in San Francisco as he returned from an 11-game absence to face a Phoenix Suns team decimated by injuries.
Curry scored 24 points, including five three-pointers, but was unable to stop the Warriors falling 125-113 to Phoenix.
Mikal Bridges top-scored for Phoenix with 26 points.
Meanwhile, Kawhi Leonard’s 33 points helped the Los Angeles Clippers complete a 113-101 win over the Dallas Mavericks.
In Salt Lake City, Jordan Clarkson’s 32-point performance, including a crucial 9-0 run in the fourth quarter, helped the Utah Jazz upset the high-flying Cleveland Cavaliers 116-114.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely