NBA Note - Minnesota Timberwolves Butler, Jimmy

Nov 2, 2017 - 9:03 AM G Jimmy Butler made the key play in the final minute of a deadlocked game, draining a 20-foot jumper after pump-faking E'Twaun Moore off his feet, then completed the three-point play with a free throw to seal a 104-98 victory over New Orleans.

Butler said Moore was "thirsty" on the key possession with the score tied at 98. "I knew (Moore) was playing some aggressive defense," Butler said, "(So I) gave him a little shot fake, showed him the ball a little bit. It's crazy to me, though, because I make the hard ones and I cannot make wide-open jump shots to save my life right now." Butler also made three foul shots in the final 19.7 seconds to finish with a team-high 23 points. He is averaging 21.3 points in his last three games following a two-game absence with an upper-respiratory infection.