Miami Heat back in the game or rather back in the National Basketball Association finals

It was the Butler who did it. It was he who took on the task of getting his underdog 5th-seeded Miami Heat back in the game or rather back in the National Basketball Association finals against the Los Angeles Lakers.

Down two games to none, the Eastern Conference champions lost game one in rout style, lost two starting players to injuries, and needed something to revive them, and with no surprise, it was Jimmy Butler, now winding up his first season with Miami and in his first NBA finals.

Still hurting from an ankle strain that occurred in game one, he returned to the court than, and again Sunday night to bring the Heat an important win-or-else 115-104 triumph at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.

There was nothing the 6-foot-7, 31-year-old Butler didn’t do as the team leader and best all-around player. He found his way to a triple-double with 40 points, 11 rebounds, and 13 assists, all game highs. It was the third triple-double in finals history. It even brought praise from the opposition.

“He’s no doubt one of the best competitors in the game,” said Lakers’ superstar LeBron James. who is familiar with out-of-sight efforts of his own. “Love that opportunity. For me. personality, I don’t know how many opportunities I’ll going to have to go against a fierce competitor like that is something I’ll look back on when I’m done playing. I’ll miss those moments.”

But, added the 35-year-old James, one of the best to ever step on the court, it would take a big game from him Tuesday night to cool off the heat, especially Mr. Butler. In this game, James turned in a team-high 25 points, and team highs of rebounds, 10, and assists, eight. LA also picked up 19 points apiece off the bench from Kyle Kuzma and Markieff Morris, while the 6-11 Anthony Davis was “held” to 15 points, and wasn’t one of his better games.

As for some Butler helpers, playing without veteran leading scorer Goran Dragic (foot) and young 6-9 Bam Adebayo (shoulder), Miami did receive 17 points each from rookie starter Tyler Herro and 6-11 Kelly Olynyk off the bench as a starter sans Adebayo.

But Butler is clearly not ready to go home quite yet. He’s still in the bubble and playing to get his side back in the hunt for its fourth NBA championship, and his first. He was good for 14-of-20 from the floor and 12-for-14 from the charity stripe.

“I tell coach all the time,” he said, “I’m ready for this. The biggest stage, whatever you ask me to do, I can do.”

His head coach, Erik Spolestra, has clearly listened.

“This is what he wanted,” Spoelestra said, “It’s really hard to analyze, or describe Jimmy until you actually feel him between the four lines. He’s a supreme, elite competitor and we needed it.”

Miami’s starters outscored the Lakers starting five, 89-51, and the Heat held Los Angeles to a 14-for-42 night from 3-point land.

James, who won two titles with Miami (and one with the Cleveland Cavaliers), wasn’t the least bit surprised that Miami showed up to fight.

“I know how resilient that bunch is,” he said, “and how resilient that coaching staff is, and their franchise.”

Can the Butler do it again? Tune in Tuesday night where it will either be 3-1 LA or 2-2.

The Heat shot 41-for-80 from the floor and the Lakers 34-for-79. Miami converted 21 of 23 foul shots and Los Angeles 22-for-29. The Lakers had more rebounds, 43-37, Miami more assists, 25-23, and also made good on 12-for-34 from 3-point range. What hurt the Lakers along with Butler, was Davis haven’t an off game inside and outside and on the boards, as well as Danny Green going 0-for-6 from the field, although Morris and Kuzma combined for nine 3s, and Olynyk and Duncan Robinson tossing in three each from lone range.