Caron Butler surfed his way into Tuesday's photo gallery.
Issac Baldizon/NBAE/Getty Images

X-Factor: The Butler Did It

Butler
Though it wasn't quite a surprise to see Caron Butler help lead the Heat to a Game 7 victory over New Orleans, you might not have expected him to be the team's top scorer when it counted most. Butler scored 11 of his team-high 23 points in the first quarter, when Miami shot out to an early lead it never relinquished. Butler had been averaging 13.3 points per game in the series and upped his play in the decisive final game, adding nine rebounds, two steals and also logging a team-high 41 minutes.
Butler serves up a monster jam: Play

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May 4, 2004


VIRTUAL GM TOP EFFICIENCY
Mike Bibby, Sac.
VGM value: 16.2
Tuesday: The point guard stood out with a plus-36 efficiency rating in the Kings' 104-98 road victory.

VIRTUAL GM BEST BUY
Steve Smith, N.O.
VGM value: 3.7
Tuesday: Smith tallied 25 points off the bench to lead all scorers, but the Hornets fell short.

TIME TO TUNE IN
Wednesday on TNT
Lakers at Spurs, 9 p.m. ET

SPEAK IT, MAN
"If I was Indiana, I'd be a little nervous. (Miami's) young, talented and they play like they've got nothing to lose."
-- New Orleans' Baron Davis on the upcoming Heat-Pacers series.