The Miami Heat handled their business on Tuesday night, dismissing the Atlanta Hawks while only allowing a one-game respite to the eighth seed, with that still being a game Miami should have won. Taking the series 4-1 in the end, they would have to do so without two of their most key guys going.
With Kyle Lowry tweaking a hamstring in Game 3 of the series, he would be joined on the pine by Jimmy Butler for what turned out to be the elimination Game 5 with a minor knee issue.
Not said to be serious, it was reported that both he and Lowry could have possibly been ready to go had there been a Game 6 in this series.
Jimmy Butler‘s status is such that he could be available if a game is needed Thursday in Atlanta. There also would be a chance for a Kyle Lowry return for such a game. For now, it could be up to the likes of Victor Oladipo, Gabe Vincent and Caleb Martin.
— Ira Winderman (@IraHeatBeat) April 26, 2022
That wasn’t to be necessary though, as the Miami Heat would continue to dominate Trae Young on the defensive end and thus, send his Hawks home to Atlanta for good this season. While the defense was a very big part of the plan, all series long, they still had to put a few points up on their end.
In that department and without two of your most proven playoff performers going, they needed a guy to step up.
Miami Heat Playoffs: A Perfect Illustration Of Victor Oladipo’s Game 5 Moment
As the Miami Heat have all year, all of them boosted their level of play, but one guy stepped up in a big way to lead the team offensively.
It’s well documented by now, but finishing with 23 points, a rebound, and three assists on a pretty efficient 8-16 from the floor and 3-6 from three, Victor Oladipo was an essential element in Heat’s closeout victory.
As indicative, a bit, by the numbers, he got it done in a myriad of ways. However, you still have to see it to fully understand it.
Check this out.
Content you can't watch on mute 🔊 @VicOladipo seized his Game 5 moment in a storybook that's only beginning pic.twitter.com/Vv7mSUWoS6
— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) April 27, 2022
Not only does this give you a look at the highlights he put on the floor, some of them poetic in their own right, but the story going on in the background, per the man himself, just adds the perfect touch.
In fact, let’s go a bit further. It’s the perfect capture of his Game 5 moment to shine on the big stage.
Miami Heat Playoffs: Victor Oladipo Really Emoted After A Splendid Game 5
Here is what Oladipo said in the clip. His soliloquy came from his postgame press conference.
"Around this time last year, I was sitting in a dark room by myself and just broke down. Not because I quit, but because I was at the lowest point I could be at. Now, God has put me in this position today."
After those powerful words from the subject in question, it then started to broadcast some of the analysis and game calls from the Bally Sports crew in accordance with the corresponding highlights. With such a dramatic musical score in the background, it literally could bring the chills right out of you.
At the end of it all and from his on-court postgame interview immediately after the buzzer. , Oladipo’s voice comes in to say “this is only the beginning”. Again—chills.
You know that it is, somewhat, of a new beginning for him as a player, but you hope that is the case with him and the Miami Heat as a co-op. Though they still have work to do in these NBA Playoffs, the biggest priority right now and as it totally should be, finding a way to keep Oladipo in the fold beyond this year should be one of those priorities tucked in there as well.
Again, you’d like to, potentially, see a lot more of this as the playoffs progress, but you also trust Coach Spo to push the right buttons. As far as his resurgent Game 5 to help the Miami Heat close out the Atlanta Hawks in the first round though, this was the perfect encapsulation.