16 FTA vs. Miami Heat, December 10
We’ve had an example to reference from November, now we’re into December. Butler attempts zero 3-pointers in the entire game, still finishes with 31 points on 15 shots at 53.3 percent. Impressive.
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A fun note from this game: Chicago won, but only shot eight 3-point attempts the entire game and they only made one. In 2016, a NBA team won a game, scored more than 100 points and only made one 3 the entire night. That’s just remarkable on its own. This is borderline “does not compute” territory.
So Butler scores 31 points, makes just eight field goal attempts. That is because he shot 15-for-16 at the free throw line. A staggering number and an equally intriguing stat line to match the fun factoid of the team’s 3-point shooting.
Roll that beautiful Butler footage:
Foul One: Rodney McGruder gets slap happy on a Butler drive at the rim. Jimmy hits the brakes and a suddenly out of position McGruder flails. Not even close to a flop.
Foul Two: Hassan Whiteside loves to block shots and crosses the lane to help the overmatched Tyler Johnson, except he can’t get the ball, but in his complete lack of verticality, he does get Butler for the and-one. No flop here.
Foul Three: Butler is just incredible here and gets dirty on Josh Richardson who knows what he has done, though he probably had no idea how he got there. No flop.
Foul Four: Did I mention Whiteside loves to block shots and can’t help but throw his whole body into it? Butler baits him. Nothing here even comes close to resembling a flop.
Foul Five: Willie Reed got bossed. Again, Butler has incredible athleticism and strength. No flop.
Foul Six: Butler can’t be contained by his man, gets to the lane and is met by Whiteside and Derrick Williams. Pretty sure this one was called on Whiteside for extending his arms into Butler. Yet again, no flop.
Foul Seven: The untimely passing of Johnson. Give him credit for trying to take it in the body for a charge, but nah. That’s not happening. Absolutely no flop.
Fouls Eight and Nine: Two intentional fouls, no flopping required. The game was coming to a close and Jimmy just stood still.
The outcome was better this time. Butler’s incredible stat line stood out for his few shot attempts but many points. Also, it tied him for the third most free throw attempts he has taken in any game this season. Chicago won this game, 105-100.
That’s 8-0 in favor of no flopping in this game. The running total is 15-1, not a flopper.