The Cleveland Cavaliers were about to lose another game until number 23 decided enough was enough. LeBron James came out of nowhere to block Jimmy Butler’s attempt at a game-winner, setting up a dramatic finish to the ball game.
The Minnesota Timberwolves had the chance to finish off the Cavs with a bucket but were denied emphatically by James.
With the game tied at 138-all in overtime and the clock ticking down to the final seconds, Butler drove to the basket against Cavs rookie Cedi Osman.
James left his man to help out on the weak side as Butler made his move. As soon as Butler hung in the air to take a short jumper in the lane, James swooped in to support his comrade as he made a ferocious block on the Timberwolves star.
Butler didn’t know what hit him.
It was the first block of the game for the Cavs, but it was a timely one as it came at a crucial moment in the game. Cavs shooting guard J.R. Smith grabbed the loose ball and called timeout after dribbling a few times.
By then, only a second was left on the game clock and the Cavs needed a good inbound play to set up James for the game-winner.
Jeff Green inbounded the ball from the other side of the court as James received it from the foul line. One turnaround jumper later and it was bedlam for the fans at the Oracle Arena when James nailed the shot to win the game.
Final score 140-138 in favor of the Cavaliers.
James recorded a triple-double as he notched 37 points, 10 rebounds, and 15 assists to go along with one steal and one humongous game-saving block.