Jimmy Butler stole the show in Game 5 of the 2020 NBA Finals, but the Miami Heat wouldn't have beaten the Los Angeles Lakers if it weren't for Duncan Robinson.
After averaging 9.8 points on 30.8 percent shooting from 3-point range through the first four games of the Finals, Robinson broke out in Game 5 to score 26 points, making him the Heat's second-leading scorer. He went 7-for-13 from the perimeter, tying him with Mike Miller for most 3s made in a Finals game in franchise history.
Robinson's seven 3-pointers were also the most 3s ever made in a Finals game by an undrafted player.
Duncan Robinson made 7 threes tonight, setting a new record for 3PM by an undrafted player in an NBA Finals game. Previous was 6 3PM by Gary Neal in 2013. pic.twitter.com/8ciDaaYpt3
— NBA.com/Stats (@nbastats) October 10, 2020
Robinson catching fire from 3 is nothing new — only Stephen Curry has ever posted the 3-point shooting numbers Robinson did during the regular season — but it was the way he punished the Lakers for their mistakes in Game 5 that stood out.
Let's take a closer look, one 3-pointer at a time.
No. 1: Danny Green falls asleep
Butler gets Dwight Howard switched onto him and attacks him in isolation.
Howard moves his feet well enough to prevent Butler from getting a layup — he also raises his hands so that he doesn't commit a foul — but Butler keeps his dribble alive and finds Robinson in the corner for a wide open 3-pointer.
How'd he get so open? Danny Green turned his head to watch Butler and lost sight of Robinson.
No. 2: Know your personnel
Butler rebounds Kyle Kuzma's missed 3-pointer and pushes the ball in transition.
Butler has Jae Crowder on his left and Robinson on his right, both of whom sprint to the 3-point line. The Lakers are well-equipped to slow the Heat down in transition with three players back on defence. The problem? While Kentavious Caldwell-Pope picks up Crowder and Alex Caruso picks up Butler, Rajon Rondo motions towards Kyle Kuzma to sprint back on defence instead of picking up Robinson.
Rondo contests Robinson's shot, but at 6-foot-7, Robinson has the size to shoot over him.
No. 3: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope falls asleep
More ball watching.
This time, Butler gets into the paint after faking a handoff with Tyler Herro. LeBron James recovers well to keep Butler from getting a layup, but Caldwell-Pope falls asleep on the weakside, much like Green did on Robinson's first 3-pointer of the game.
Robinson makes him pay by relocating to the corner, giving Butler a direct passing lane.
No. 4: Cooking with fire
Now Robinson is feeling it.
Off of an offensive rebound, Butler sets Robinson up for a 3-pointer from the left wing.
It's hard to criticize Caldwell-Pope too much for leaving Robinson. Just a great offensive rebound by Butler, followed by a great pass to Robinson.
No. 5: The king of handoffs
Later in the third quarter, Bam Adebayo runs a handoff with Robinson, resulting in him getting fouled on a 3-point attempt that he still manages to knock down.
According to NBA.com, Robinson led the league with an average of 3.5 points per game off of handoffs this season. He was incredibly efficient, ranking in the 98th percentile with 1.38 points per possession. He's in similar territory in the playoffs, averaging 3.5 points per game off of handoffs and ranking in the 82nd percentile with 1.11 points per possession.
Difficult shot? Yes. One Robinson can make? Also yes.
No. 6: Bam Adebayo and Duncan Robinson strike again
The Heat run another handoff between Robinson and Adebayo near the start of the fourth quarter, only this time Robinson's cut starts underneath the basket, not on the opposing wing.
Again, tough shot, but one Robinson has been making all season long.
One thing that seperates Robinson from other shooters is how he sets up his 3-pointers. He's stronger than he looks and he changes speeds well to keep his defender off balance. The way he gets open is Klay Thompson-like.
No. 7: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Alex Caruso cross wires
Butler runs a high pick-and-roll with Adebayo, and the Lakers decide to switch Markieff Morris onto Butler and Anthony Davis onto Adebayo.
The Lakers are in good help position, but Robinson and Herro relocating when Butler picks up his dribble leads to Caldwell-Pope and Caruso running into one another, almost as though Caruso was setting a screen on Caldwell-Pope.
That's all Robinson needs to shake loose for his seventh and final 3-pointer of the game.
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