Towards the end of the Miami Heat’s upset over the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 3 of the NBA Finals to make things interesting in the final series of the longest season in NBA history, ABC’s perfectly positioned cameras caught Jimmy Butler telling LeBron James something about being “in trouble,” obviously referring to James and the Lakers. After the Heat avoided an 0-3 hole and are now down 2-1 in the best-of-seven series, Butler was asked about the moment below.
Jimmy Butler to LeBron and the Lakers after his final bucket: “You’re in trouble.” 😯🌶
pic.twitter.com/4PSFrHWFTG— matt eppers (@meppers_) October 5, 2020
According to Butler, telling LeBron that he and the Lakers are now in trouble in the series was a reference to something James had said earlier to Butler in the first quarter.
Jimmy Butler said he was calling back something LeBron James said to him earlier in the game when he was caught on camera late in the contest saying the Lakers were "in trouble."
"Competition at it's finest," Butler said. pic.twitter.com/DIT6oOJWuO
— USA TODAY Sports (@usatodaysports) October 5, 2020
After the game, LeBron said nothing but complimentary things about Butler, saying he’s one of the “greatest competitors” in the NBA.
"One of the best competitors we have in our game." – LeBron James on Jimmy Butler after Game 3
Game 4: Tuesday – 9pm/et, ABC pic.twitter.com/HGF8wtpSJA
— NBA (@NBA) October 5, 2020
The Lakers are still in control in the series after Anthony Davis had one of his most anonymous games of the playoffs. While the Heat definitely breathed some life and intrigue back into the series, the Lakers aren’t in trouble yet. But one more night like tonight in Game 4 and they just might be, for the first time in these playoffs.
