If you are going to trash-talk to Jimmy Butler, you better be ready for the consequences. The Boston Celtics’ Grant Williams had to learn it the hard way in his team’s 111-105 loss in Game 2 of the East Finals on Friday night.
The Heat managed to overcome a nine-point deficit in the fourth quarter of the game to get the win and take a massive 2-0 lead in the series. They benefited from another clutch performance from Butler, who said after the contest that Williams’ trash talk was what fueled the final run.
“He hit a big shot, started talking to me. I like that. I’m all for that. It makes me key in a lot more,” said Butler when asked whether he got some extra motivation from Williams. “It pushes that will that I have to win a lot more. It makes me smile. It does. When people talk to me, I’m like, OK, I know I’m a decent player if you want to talk to me out of everybody that you can talk to.”
The exchange happened after Williams hit a three-point to give his team a 96-87 lead with less than seven minutes left on the clock. The Celtics’ forward said something to Butler after the basket, and the two began going back and forth.
After the incident, Butler immediately responded by making a basket and drawing a foul from Williams for a three-point play.
Butler scored nine points to close out the game and finished the night with 27 points, eight rebounds, and six assists. Williams, on the other hand, had nine points for the whole night.
“I do respect him, though,” said Butler of Williams. “He’s a big part of what they try to do. He switches. He can shoot the ball. I just don’t know if I’m the best person to talk to.”
