Thursday’s Game 5 matchup between the Milwaukee Bucks and the Miami Heat was expected by many to be a great game since the series was on the line for both teams. It did not disappoint, but the takeaway was a brutal boneheaded mistake from Bucks guard Grayson Allen that cost his team the game and the series.
It looked like the Bucks were cruising to a victory to keep their season alive.
They took a 16-point lead into the third quarter thanks to a 22-5 run to close out the third quarter.
22-5 run to close out the 3rd. pic.twitter.com/BzAqSmv9Az
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) April 27, 2023
However, the Heat would miraculously come back to make this a game in the fourth quarter. They brought the Bucks’ lead down to two points after Bucks forward Khris Middleton made only one out of free throws with just 2.1 seconds remaining in the quarter.
This would give the Heat a chance, and Jimmy Butler made the most of the opportunity. He sent the game to overtime with a miraculous alley-oop tip-in.
JIMMY BUTLER SENDS GAME 5 TO OVERTIME ON A CRAZY PLAY! 🏀🔥😲 pic.twitter.com/WCRw63qyA1
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) April 27, 2023
Despite blowing the huge lead, the Bucks still had a chance in overtime to come away with the victory. However, their game and season would end in heartbreaking fashion.
The Bucks got a rebound on a Heat miss down by two points with ten seconds remaining. Unfortunately, they wouldn’t get a shot off at the end of the game when Bucks guard Grayson Allen seemingly lost track of time and didn’t shoot the ball at the buzzer.
BUCKS…. YIKES! 😬😬😬😬
THE MIAMI HEAT KNOCK OUT THE NO. 1 SEED IN THE EASTERN CONFERENCE IN 5 GAMES! 🏀🔥 pic.twitter.com/K8vwDt1ZP1
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) April 27, 2023
It’s a crushing loss, and many around the NBA world blamed Grayson Allen on social media.
THE SEASON ENDS WITH THE BALL IN GRAYSON ALLEN’S HANDS?!?!?
WHAT JUST HAPPENED???
— nick wright (@getnickwright) April 27, 2023
Grayson Allen caught the ball with 3 seconds left and proceeded to pump fake then euro step at the rim lmaooo pic.twitter.com/MjqRLCM7Gf
— John (@iam_johnw) April 27, 2023
A team's season ending with a Grayson Allen flub is a win for the internet. https://t.co/ZhrtsJoZUX
— Matt Clapp (@Matt2Clapp) April 27, 2023
0.2 SECONDS LEFT ON THE CLOCK AND GRAYSON ALLEN SAID JELLY FAM 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭
— dyson daniels floater (@killmesIime) April 27, 2023
The entire Bucks team and fanbase to Grayson Allen pic.twitter.com/iO0MZ00hP1
— NBA Memes (@NBAMemes) April 27, 2023
I can't get over it…
HOW DO YOU LET GRAYSON ALLEN RUN THE CLOCK OUT AT THE END OF OVERTIME?
— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) April 27, 2023
To be fair to Allen, some blame should also go to Bucks head coach Mike Budenholzer, who certainly could have called timeout to get a better shot.
That being said, Allen has to be more aware of the situation and get a shot up. Even if he were to miss, it is easier to live with instead of not getting a shot up at all.
Regardless, it is a huge win for the Heat. They will now face off against the New York Knicks in the second round after they took care of the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday night.
[The Comeback on Twitter] Photo Credit: NBA TV
