The Miami Heat won in thrilling fashion on Friday to sneak past the Houston Rockets.
Heat small forward Jimmy Butler slammed home a game winning alley-oop dunk off of an inbound pass in the final seconds of the Heat’s 97-95 victory over the Houston Rockets to improve their record to 31-25. It was a beautifully drawn-up play design by Miami’s head coach Erik Spoelstra. Butler was absolutely wide open.
JIMMY BUTLER GAME WINNER 🔥 pic.twitter.com/Vj9Guciwxa
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) February 11, 2023
Butler finished the game with 16 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists, according to ESPN.
Following his heroic alley-oop jam, Butler compared himself to former NFL wide receiver Chad Ochocinco. During Butler’s postgame interview he said, “I’m always open. I’m like a football player and I mean that. Ochocinco said it best…he was always open and I’m a lot like him.”
Jimmy Butler on the game-winning alley-oop:
“I’m always open. I’m like a football player & I mean that. Ochocinco said it best. He was always open & I’m a lot like him.” pic.twitter.com/v45Zio0e2f
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) February 11, 2023
As cool as this finish was, I don’t think the Miami Heat are serious contenders for a championship this year. They were one game away from the NBA Finals a season ago but failed to add any significant pieces to their roster over the offseason and at the trade deadline (RELATED: NBA Fines Brooklyn Nets’ Cam Thomas After They Say He Used ‘Disparaging Language’ During Post-Game Interview)
I can’t picture Miami making it past the second round of the playoffs with how their team is currently constructed, but that said, this was a cool way for them to get a victory in the meantime.