Los Angeles Lakers star Danny Green became a target for angry Lakers fan on social media after he missed a wide-open three pointer during Game 5 of the NBA Championship. Instead, Jimmy Butler and LeBron James put up incredible performances to dramatically force Game 6 and ensure that Miami Heat continue to fight for the title in Game 6 on Sunday.
16.8 seconds left in the final and 108-109 on the scoreboard, all Danny Green had to do was get one basket to clinch their record-equaling 17th NBA title but he ended up botching his three-pointer and the Heat held their nerves to pull off a 111-108 win to secure second win of NBA. The Lakers now lead the NBA Finals series 3-2.
According to Dave McMenamin of ESPN, Lakers guard Danny Green and his fiancee have both reportedly received death threats on social media after Green missed the shot on Friday.
Though star rookie Tyler Herro wrapped up the game with two free throws to keep his team in the equation, Butler's 47-minute triple-double performance (35p, 11a, 12r) on Friday forced a Game 6.
He credited his team-mates for his exceptional performance. "I got a hell of a group of guys around me that make my job a lot easier. I'm fortunate for those guys because when I pass it to them, they make shots. When I get beat going to the rim, they're there. So, we're in this thing together and they give me a lot of confidence to go out there and hoop," said Butler.
James, who top-scored for the Lakers with 40 points, said that Miami Heat makes their opponents pay for every mistake they make. "One thing about this team that we are playing, they make you pay for every mistake. It's the same as when I was playing against Golden State all those years, you make a mistake, they make you pay. So, we have to understand that," said James.