Bucks Zone

A tale of two plays: The Miami Heat outperformed the Milwaukee Bucks in critical moments of Game 5

Game 5 came down to execution in the clutch.

Matthew Dugandzic

© Michael McLoone-USA TODAY Sports
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The Milwaukee Bucks were on the brink of winning Game 5, but the Miami Heat executed an incredible play in the waning moments of regulation that forced overtime.

The table was turned in the overtime period when the Bucks found themselves badly needing a basket to stay alive. Unlike Miami, Milwaukee miserably failed to execute, and the Heat went on to eliminate the Bucks to a tune of 128-126 decision on Wednesday night.

So what really happened in those two crucial plays? Down by two, 118-116, with 2.1 seconds left, the Heat called a timeout, and coach Erik Spoelstra drew up a play that Butler didn't like.

Trusting Jimmy

Spoelstra then set up another play that needed Gabe Vincent to throw an inbounds pass to the Heat superstar, who was waiting under the basket to force overtime.

Spoelstra wasn't so confident that the play would materialize, but Butler guaranteed that it would turn out just fine.

"We've practiced variations of that play with a bunch of different guys," Spoelstra said. "I was going to do a different version of it. He just said, 'No, let me be that guy.' I just said, 'OK, but what if we can't get that pass.' He said, 'I'll get it. Don't worry about it.'"

Vincent, who triggered the play by lobbing a pass over Giannis Antetokounmpo's outstretched arms, said there was no doubt in his mind that Butler would catch the high-arcing pass.

"I just got to throw the ball up there," Vincent said. "For me, it was easy. I had complete faith in Jimmy."

Butler's basket tied the score with 0.5 seconds left, and the Bucks couldn't even take a shot as the regular buzzer sounded, sending the game into overtime.

Milwaukee crumbles

The Heat led by as many as seven points in the five-minute extension period, but the Bucks rallied and had the chance to force overtime.

Down by two, the Bucks had the chance to move even closer when Gabe misfired a three-pointer with 12 seconds left. Giannis collared the offensive rebound and raced to the other end of the court.

Giannis was met by Butler, who forced him to pass the ball to Khris Middleton. Khris drove to the lane but was met by two defenders and was forced to throw an outlet pass to Grayson Allen.

Allen faked a pass to Jrue Holiday, then decided to penetrate the lane. Alas, Allen could not even make an attempt as the buzzer sounded, stunningly sealing the Bucks' downfall.

Game 5 came down to endgame execution, and while the Heat delivered, the Bucks simply succumbed to pressure.

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Matthew Dugandzic
MATTHEW DUGANDZIC

Matthew finished his bachelor's degree in Economics (Management) at the University of Split and got his master's degree in the same field at the University of Zadar. Whether it is playing the game as an undersized 6'3'' power forward or simply watching it, Matthew can't get enough of it. After all, he has been an avid NBA fan since the 2000s. But don't get him wrong, as Matthew still loves the old-school NBA and is a true student of the game. From on-court moments to off-court stuff, whether it's about the stars of modern-day basketball or legends of the game, Matthew covers every category of the NBA world and basketball in general, as long as it makes for an engaging and exciting story.