Watch: Jimmy Butler beats the buzzer

Denver's Kentavious Caldwell-Pope had smacked Butler across the arms as he was seemingly rising up for a shot in the quarter's closing seconds. The referees disagreed, though, ruling that KCP made a side-to-side sweep, meaning Miami got a side out rather than two free throws for Butler.

In an immediate example of the mystical karmic concept known as "Ball don't lie," Butler responded to losing two free throws by hitting a three-point shot. The basket gave Miami a 21-20 lead after one quarter, their first lead since 2-0.

Butler had nine points in the quarter to lead the Heat. Leading the way for Denver, Jamal Murray had six points from Jamal Murray. Likewise Nikola Jokic, who had a scary moment when he turned his ankle and headed to the locker room.

Jokic returned for the second quarter and hit three three-pointers of his own. Denver retook the lead and no-doubt hopes to keep the game from coming down to Butler at the buzzer again.