Heat Beat Lakers in Game 3 of N.B.A. Finals

Before Game 4 on Tuesday night, the Lakers have work of their own. They were lackluster from the early stages of Game 3. They dribbled and passed as if the ball were coated in cooking oil, committing 10 turnovers in the first quarter alone. Still, the Heat led by only 3 — and that was when Butler and the Lakers’ LeBron James began exchanging words.

“Love it,” James said, adding of Butler: “One of the best competitors we have in our game.”

As for the Heat, they showed up for Day 88 of their bubble experience with every intention of prolonging it. They played swarming defense — trapping, lunging, swatting. It was the stuff of pure effort, and it was the only way their depleted lineup was going to make a game of it.

Butler played 45 minutes and spent many of them defending James. Several of Butler’s teammates focused their energies on the Lakers’ Anthony Davis, who tried just two field goals in the first half while picking up three fouls. He finished with 15 points and 5 rebounds.

“I just have to be better,” Davis said.

Late in the fourth quarter, Butler punctuated the win by telling James, “You’re in trouble!” Afterward, Butler said he was merely repeating what James had told him earlier in the game.

“I’m not just out there talking trash,” Butler said, “because I’m not.”

Article source: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/05/sports/nba-finals-miami-heat-los-angeles-lakers-game-3.html