Jimmy Butler proved his value in the game between the Philadelphia 76ers and the Brooklyn Nets on November 25 as he again made a 0.4-second game-winning three-pointer to help the 76ers defeat the Nets 127-125.
Philadelphia come back from 20-point trail
Jimmy Butler makes a 0.4-second game-winning three-pointer to help the Philadelphia 76ers defeat the Brooklyn Nets 127-125. /VCG Photo
Though the Nets don't have any big names in their franchise, the team haven't been an easy target to bully. They have a group of youngsters who're willing to pass, defend and listen to what their head coach said. Before this one, they already won eight of the 20 games played and remained hopeful for the playoffs.
The 76ers suffered from the beginning at the Barclays Center as every Brooklyn player was able to score. The Nets' two guards, D'Angelo Russell and Spencer Dinwiddie respectively put down 38 and 31 points and their team once lead by as many as 20 points. As a matter of fact, Philadelphia was trailing by 13 points in the second half of the last quarter.
D'Angelo Russell #1 puts down 38 points, eight rebounds and eight assists for Brooklyn. /VCG Photo
Jimmy Butler again stood out. He first joined Joel Embiid to launch a 9-0 run to narrow down the score. In the last 30 seconds, after Dinwiddie put Brooklyn back to lead 125-124, Butler received the ball from Embiid and, like he did on November 17, made a game-winning three-pointer when there were only 0.4 seconds left to help the 76ers claim the victory.
Having scored 34 points and 12 rebounds by making 11 out of 20 shots, including 5/6 for three-pointers, Butler had an efficient performance like Embiid, who put down 32 points and 12 rebounds to help the 76ers win five of their six games since Butler arrived. However, victories could not hide the team's problems, which were crystal clear in defense.
The 76ers take a hit in their back-court defense after they send Robert Covington #33 and Dario Saric #9 away. /VCG Photo
Philadelphia introduced Butler by sending Robert Covington and Dario Saric to the Minnesota Timberwolves. They acquired a player who could attack, orchestrate and, most importantly, has the big heart necessary to make game-winning shots. But in the process, they also lost their back-court defense.
Getting Butler meant the 76ers do not want to spend time waiting for Markelle Fultz to grow up, which is why he has already been removed from the regular roster. In that case, the team intends to put Ben Simmons and J.J. Redick in guard position and have Wilson Chandler as a power forward. In five of the past six games, the 76ers saw their rival's back-court player(s) explode in scoring.
Starting from Kemba Walker's 60 points, Philadelphia have to watch guard(s) drop crazy numbers in front of their defense. /VCG Photo
On November 17, Kemba Walker of the Charlotte Hornets put down a career-high of 60 points in the game against the 76ers; on November 19, Devin Booker of the Phoenix Suns dropped 37 points; on November 21, E'Twaun Moore and Jrue Holiday of the New Orleans Pelicans together put down 60 points; On November 23, Rodney Hood and Collin Sexton of the Cleveland Cavaliers scored 48 in total 48 points; then there were Russell and Dinwiddie who together dropped 69 points, higher than Butler and Embiid.
Before Philadelphia changed their franchise by trading Butler for Covington and Saric, their defense rating was 107 points, which ranked No.11 in the league. By contrast, today that rating dropped to 113.1 points, which is a ranking of 24. Redick was never built for defense and Simmons can defend players ranging from point guard to power forward, but his 2.08-meter height means he's too slow to go against the super guards in today's NBA. After a series of injuries, Wilson Chandler lost a large part of his athleticism, not to mention he has never been a smart team defender like Saric.
It's hard to assume the picture when the 76ers have to deal with Kyrie Irving (L) and Kyle Lowry (R). /VCG Photo
In the Eastern Conference, the 76ers need to compete with the Toronto Raptors and the Boston Celtics, two teams that have basically the best guards in Kyle Lowry and Kyrie Irving. It's true that Butler is a good choice for game-winning shots but, with such disappointing back-court defense, Philadelphia may find it difficult to stop the game from becoming a foregone conclusion before a game-winning shot even happens.
35-year-old 'Flash' scores season-high 35 points
36-year-old Dwyane Wade #3 drops 35 points in the game betwwen the Miami Heat and the Toronto Raptors. /VCG Photo
The Miami Heat came to the Scotiabank Arena to challenge the Toronto Raptors and, to nobody's surprise, they lost 115-125. Kawhi Leonard scored 29 points and 10 rebounds while Lowry dropped 12 points and 10 assists. The home team controlled the situation from the beginning till the end but what really made the game different was that Dwyane Wade, at the age of 36, put down 35 points.
Having made 13 out of 22 shots, including 4/7 for three-pointers, Wade had the Heat's top score since he returned to the team in February. With a one-year 2.4-million-U.S.-dollar veteran minimum contract, Wade decided to do his "last dance" with Miami, like he promised before the 2018-19 season. He agreed to start from the bench as he's not so fast any more, but Wade can still contribute to the team when needed.
Though Wade is not young any more, he can still contribute to the team, especially in the playoffs. /VCG Photo
The Heat currently rank No.11 in the East but are only two wins away from the No.8 Hornets, meaning that they still have the chance to make it into the playoffs. Wade has already proved that he may not be the "1.93-meter Michael Jordan" from the 2006 NBA Finals but he can still Miami's weapon in the playoffs, just like he was last season.
Other games on November 25 included: (away teams come first)
Orlando Magic 108-104 Los Angeles Lakers
Phoenix Suns 107-118 Detroit Pistons
Charlotte Hornets 123-124 Atlanta Hawks
New York Knicks 103-98 Memphis Grizzlies
Utah Jazz 133-112 Sacramento Kings
Los Angeles Clippers 104-100 Portland Trail Blazers