Jimmy Butler erupts for 30 points to lead Philadelphia 76ers to Game 2 win over Toronto Raptors
Tuesday 30 April 2019 09:58, UK
Jimmy Butler scored a team-high 30 points as the Philadelphia 76ers struck a blow on the road with a series-levelling 94-89 Game 2 win over the Toronto Raptors.
Butler's performance propelled the Sixers to their first win in Toronto since November 10, 2012, following 14 consecutive losses but, more importantly, gave them home court advantage in the Eastern Conference semi-final series.
Sixers guard Butler nailed nine of his 22 shots, including four of his 10 attempts from beyond the three-point arc, and added 11 rebounds, five assists and a block in 43 minutes of play.
Butler scored 13 first-half points as the Sixers established a double-digit lead. He completed a four-point play after being fouled while connected on a three-pointer from a Joel Embiid kickout pass with 1:55 left in the second quarter, extending the Philadelphia lead to 18.
The Raptors roared back in the second half, reducing the Sixers' advantage to six points at the start of the fourth quarter. The Sixers used a 7-2 surge to push their lead back to 11.
Butler scored 10 points in the final 6:18 of the game as the 76ers resisted one final rally from the home team. He connected with a driving floater, a running lay-up and crucial free throws to keep Philadelphia in front.
After Pascal Siakam brought the Raptors within a single point, an Embiid hook shot and two Tobias Harris free throws allowed the Sixers to seal the victory, levelling the series at 1-1.
Speaking after the game, Butler said: "My team had a lot of faith in me tonight. I told them I had to come out and redeem myself.
"We have to lock in on our end of the floor and not turn the ball over and continue to contest them [on defense]. I think we did a great job of it [tonight]. When we let our defense dictate our offense, we are such a great team. We can't let it be the other way around.
"As long as we don't turn the ball over and we guard, we give ourselves a chance to win every night."
Click the video at the top of the page to watch Butler's 30-point performance.
Game 3 takes place in Philadelphia in the early hours of Friday morning, live on Sky Sports Arena.
