He doesn't have the highest rating for an evening without a standout performance, but Max Strus is indeed the MVP of the night with his 12 points in 67 seconds to pick up the score, then the “buzzer beater” to give the Cavaliers victory against the Mavericks. It's the most beautiful and farthest “buzzer beater” of the season, and it's a real “winning basket” since Cleveland was trailing 119-118 with two seconds remaining.
“If you are not first, you are last” let go of the evening hero, in reference to the film Ricky Bobby with Will Ferrell. Author of 5 out of 5 from 3-point range in the last quarter, including 4 out of 4 in 67 seconds, the former Heat guard/winger was levitating in “money time”!
“It’s special, but I’ve already had moments in my career where I’ve been hot like that,” he assures, referring to a similar feat with DePaul. “I found my rhythm, and it's fun when you do that, because you feel like every shot is going to go in. And it was! Even the last one! »
Donovan Mitchell loves having him by his side
Author of 21 points, Max Strus adds 4 rebounds, 4 assists and even 2 blocks. Manhandled by the Doncic-Irving pair, he had the last word!
“This is the Max Strus we all know” summarizes Donovan Mitchell. “We saw him in the playoffs… We saw him in the NBA finals… We saw him in many different contexts, and that’s why we went after him. Personally, it's very comfortable to play alongside someone like him who allows me to play a two-person game. With him, it's non-stop! Of course, the shots still haven't come in this season, but he has always shown resilience. »
Congratulations also to JB Bickerstaff for leaving him on the field even though he had been clumsy until then… and spectators were starting to leave the room!
“His leadership style is to never give up” explains the Cleveland coach. “When he comes into play, he sparks, and everything comes together. Everyone else followed, and I think that characterizes him well, and that represents who he is for this team. It's not just basketball that we see. It's impressive, and to be honest with you, it means a lot to our group. »
| Max Strus | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2019-20 | CHI | 2 | 3 | 66.7 | 0.0 | 100.0 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 2.5 |
| 2020-21 | MIA | 39 | 13 | 45.5 | 33.8 | 66.7 | 0.1 | 0.9 | 1.1 | 0.6 | 1.1 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 6.1 |
| 2021-22 | MIA | 68 | 23 | 44.1 | 41.0 | 79.2 | 0.4 | 2.6 | 3.0 | 1.4 | 1.7 | 0.4 | 0.8 | 0.2 | 10.6 |
| 2022-23 | MIA | 80 | 28 | 41.0 | 35.0 | 87.6 | 0.6 | 2.6 | 3.2 | 2.1 | 2.1 | 0.5 | 0.9 | 0.2 | 11.5 |
| 2023-24 | KEY | 56 | 32 | 41.5 | 33.3 | 77.3 | 0.9 | 4.0 | 4.8 | 3.8 | 2.5 | 0.9 | 1.5 | 0.5 | 12.1 |
| Total | 245 | 25 | 42.4 | 36.1 | 80.6 | 0.5 | 2.6 | 3.2 | 2.0 | 1.9 | 0.5 | 0.9 | 0.2 | 10.5 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
