All-NBA forward Jimmy Butler had a fairly modest showing in the Heat‘s 103-94 Game 1 loss to the Nuggets, scoring 13 points on 6-of-14 shooting from the floor. He also chipped in seven rebounds, seven assists, a steal and a block in 38 minutes of action.
As William Guillory of The Athletic writes, the Heat need Butler to return to his “Playoff Jimmy” mode, the unstoppable force that propelled Miami to its second NBA Finals berth in his first four years with the team.
“I just think I’ve got to do a better job of getting the ball, demanding the ball, being more aggressive,” Butler reflected following a team practice Saturday. “Yes, they do have some really good defenders, but I have seen really good defenders before.”
Guillory notes that Butler averaged 29.9 PPG on 50.5% shooting from the floor, along with 5.6 APG, across his first 14 playoff games in this run. His shooting output has taken a significant dip across the most recent four contests. In those games, the 6’7″ wing has averaged 19.8 PPG on 38.4% shooting from the floor, plus 6.5 APG.
There’s more out of Miami:
- A more assertive scoring night in Game 2 from Butler will unlock the team’s shooters following a lackluster Game 1 turn, opines Vincent Goodwill of Yahoo Sports. “They definitely follow suit whenever I’m aggressive on both sides of the ball,” Butler said. “So I have to be the one to come out and kick that off the right way, which I will, and we’ll see where we end up.” Miami swingmen Max Strus and Duncan Robinson shot 1-of-14 from the floor on Thursday.
- Heat president Pat Riley remains hungry to win his 10th NBA title at age 78. He has won as a player, an assistant coach, a head coach and in his current role as front office leader. Several of Riley’s peers spoke to Josh Peter of USA Today about what drives the Hall of Famer. “You can see his fingerprints over all the stuff they’re doing down there,” Riley’s former Lakers teammate and colleague Jerry West told Peter. “I mean, they’re never going to quit and they’re never going to die.”
- Heat power forward Kevin Love has had an up-and-down postseason run, shifting from a starting gig as recently as Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals to his third straight healthy scratch in Game 1 of the Finals. As Anthony Chiang of The Miami Herald writes, the 34-year-old is trying to remain prepared, whatever the role. “For me, what I’m doing is just staying ready,” Love said. “But certainly, the Nuggets are a very big team. You saw it in the first two rounds, how we matched up against both New York and Milwaukee. I think the luxury is I’ll be sitting there waiting. If my number is called, great. If not, I’m going to support these guys the best I can.” Love is appearing in his fifth NBA Finals, after starting in four straight for the Cavaliers from 2015-18.
JIMMY has to show up tonight and be playoff Jimmy, go to basket relentlessly, space the floor w/ 3’s…. Vincent, Strus, Robinson Martin, Lowry… Tough D, gritty to the end…. We’ll see… if you give Heat Life, they believe… but anything can happen, But they have to leave Denver tied 1-1…
I’m a Nuggets guy. But I really think Love can help. He’s got the playoffs experience. And can shoot. Not really sure why Spoelstra is holding him out.
I agree Jimmy has to be more selfish. Denver knows how important Jimmy is. So it ain’t going to easy. I expect a better game from Heat tonight.
No you’re not! You were saying only a month or so ago that you don’t see them coming out of the West.
You’re one of the more annoying guys on this site.
That’s not what your mom said.
And at least get it right. I had Suns coming out. But I think we are past that. I also had Knicks beating Heat. And Bucks beating Suns in Finals. Anything else you need to know. Just ask …..
These are the clowns who just don’t get what sports is really about. Healthy teams make for healthier predictions. But all go with our heart. If you really care that is.
There are only two teams left UFAole.. I got the Nuggets.
Is that ok with you. Gee thanks !!!!!!
Riley is and will always be a great Laker. Always shows up for important stuff. And I sure he knows the day the Heat vanquished the Celtics was the 38th anniversary of the Memorial Day massacre
The Joker …. guy is something else man.
We don’t see him a lot cause he’s in West coast. He’s the best big in the game.
Serbia has put out some great talent .
Duncan going to the basket !!!!! Waaaaat
When did he get a handle. Heat just keep showing me lols. WoW
The Heat are one of the crappiest rosters in playoff history. 13 points for Butler, yeah “playoff Jimmy” lolz!
More like 21 pts, 9 ast, 4 reb, and solid D.
If you don’t respect Jimmy. Then you don’t respect this game.
This is the kind of haters. That don’t need to come on this board. Basketball is a 2way sport. Why come here and vent. If you can’t understand what you see …. Big time win.
And I agree with Jalen Rose. Call a timeout and get a good shot.
Heat D …. They got two of best 2way players in the game. Every time I think it’s over for them. They just show us what this game is about. Great game…. I hope Denver got the message. Heat are not going away. This is war ……