Video: Udonis Haslem Throws Chair in Heat Huddle During 2nd Half of Game 4 vs. Bucks
May 29, 2021
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - MAY 24: Udonis Haslem #40 of the Miami Heat looks on before the game between the Milwaukee Bucks and the Miami Heat during Game Two of their Eastern Conference first-round playoff series between the Milwaukee Bucks and the Miami Heat at Fiserv Forum on May 24, 2021 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)
A strong start for the Miami Heat in Game 4 of their playoff series against the Milwaukee Bucks faded away after halftime, but Udonis Haslem is doing everything he can to keep the team playing hard.
During a timeout in the third quarter, Haslem was seen tossing aside a chair while speaking to the team.
Having lost the first three games of the series, the Heat are in desperation mode as they try to keep their season alive. They came out of the gate strong and led by as many as 12 points in the second quarter.
The Bucks turned things around in the third quarter, though. They outscored Miami 34-21 to take a six-point lead as they look to close out the series.
Heat Rumors: Kendrick Nunn Could Get Contract Offers for $15M per Year in Free Agency
May 28, 2021
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - MAY 02: Kendrick Nunn #25 of the Miami Heat brings the ball up court against the Charlotte Hornets during their game at Spectrum Center on May 02, 2021 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)
Miami Heat guard Kendrick Nunn reportedly may receive contract offers "in the $15 million a year
range" as a restricted free agent during the 2021 NBA offseason.
John Hollinger of The Athletic reported
Friday the situation is part of a "bizarre pickle" the Heat will
find themselves in during the summer as they attempt to keep Nunn and
fellow RFA Duncan Robinson, while maintaining the financial
flexibility to upgrade the roster via free agency or sign-and-trade
deals.
Nunn went undrafted in 2018 and spent
his first pro season with the G League's Santa Cruz Warriors before
signing with the Heat in 2019.
The 25-year-old Chicago native has
quickly emerged as a key rotation member for Miami. He's averaged
15.0 points, 3.0 assists, 2.9 rebounds and 2.1 threes in 123
appearances over the past two seasons.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8MBiqqy7Iw
In January, Nunn said getting the
opportunity to play consistently is all it took for him to break out in the NBA.
"It's the minutes. It's the minutes
for me," he told reporters. "It's getting in the game and getting
in the flow of the game. Then, after that, I just be myself, getting
into the flow of the game, getting into a rhythm and making winning
plays."
The Heat reached the NBA Finals during
his first season, but they failed to build off that success during
the 2020-21 campaign. They finished sixth in the East with a 40-32
record and now they're on the brink of elimination as they face a 3-0
series deficit against the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round.
Between falling short of expectations
and the high number of players with uncertain contract statuses, the
Heat could undergo some significant changes during the offseason.
Besides Nunn and Robinson, other
players not under contract for next season include unrestricted free
agents Victor Oladipo, Trevor Ariza, Nemanja Bjelica, Dewayne Dedmon
and Udonis Haslem. In addition, Goran Dragic and Andre Iguodala have
club options in their deals for 2021-22.
Trying to keep Nunn will probably be
one of the team's top priorities, but an offer sheet that includes an
annual salary upwards of $15 million could force the Heat front
office into a tough decision.
Jimmy Butler on Heat's 3-0 Deficit vs. Bucks: 'I'm Not Surprised. It's Basketball'
May 28, 2021
MIAMI, FL - MAY 27: Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat drives to the basket during the game against the Milwaukee Bucks during Round 1, Game 3 of the 2021 NBA Playoffs on May 27, 2021 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2021 NBAE (Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images)
Jimmy Butler is disappointed but not surprised that he and the Miami Heat are one game away from being swept by the Milwaukee Bucks in their first-round playoff series.
"I'm not surprised," he told reporters after the Heat dropped Game 3 on Thursday. "It's basketball. It's part of it. Keep our heads up, keep working, try to get this one on Saturday."
The Bucks took Game 3 in another blowout, 113-84, on Thursday. After the Heat were two points away from an overtime victory in Game 1 on Saturday, they lost 132-98 in Game 2 on Monday.
Butler led the Heat with 19 points Thursday, but it wasn't enough to keep Miami close. They scored just 14 points in the first quarter and trailed 49-36 at the break. They had the same issues on Monday when they were down 46-20 after 12 minutes and 78-51 at the half.
The Heat were out-rebounded 55-42 on Thursday and turned the ball over 16 times, which resulted in 16 points for the Bucks, who led by as many as 32.
Butler bemoans "how fast it got out of hand. We didn't take too much away... Not putting bodies on bodies, not attacking the ball."
Erik Spoelstra on Bucks defense: "They've taken away a lot of those easy relief points that we're accustomed to getting." Spoelstra added that "I feel that I have to do a better job too of freeing guys up, getting guys more comfortable and get them more in their strength zones."
While it's not looking good for the Heat, Butler remains committed to the rest of the series, even though just three teams have ever forced a Game 7 from a 3-0 deficit. Of them, no team has won the deciding game.
"Weâre not too worried what history says and all that stuff, but weâve got our work cut out for us," Butler told reporters.
The Bucks will have a chance to clinch the series Saturday. Game 4 tips at 1:30 p.m. ET and will air on TNT.
Giannis Drops 17 as Bucks Cruise Past Heat to Take Commanding 3-0 Series Lead
May 28, 2021
MIAMI, FL - MAY 27: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks shoots the ball against the Miami Heat during Round One Game Three of the Eastern Conference Playoffs on May 27, 2021 at AmericanAirlines Arena in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2021 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
The Milwaukee Bucks continued to bully their way past the Miami Heat on Thursday, picking up a 113-84 victory in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals as the series shifted to South Florida.
Milwaukee now leads the best-of-seven 3-0 and will look to complete a sweep of last year's conference champions at American Airlines Arena on Saturday.
Despite inserting guard Goran Dragic into the starting lineup in place of Kendrick Nunn, the Heat couldn't keep up with a Bucks offense that ranked as the best unit in the NBA (120.1 points per game) during the regular season.
Milwaukee, meanwhile, can advance past the first round for the third consecutive season with one more win, eliminating Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo and a gritty Heat team from the playoffs.
It only took one quarter for the Bucks to prove the Heat couldnât hang with them. Unfortunately for Miami, that came in the third frame, after Milwaukee took a 49-36 lead into halftime.
Even with Donte DiVincenzo forced out of the game with a left foot injury at the break, Milwaukee was able to insert Bryn Forbes (11 points) into its first unit without losing any of the three-point shooting it relies on DiVincenzo to provide.
The Bucks drilled more three-pointers in the third quarter (seven) than Miami made in the first three quarters combined (six). That helped Milwaukee score more points in one frame than the Heat mustered in the entire first half. The Bucks rode a 37-24 run in the third quarter to a rather tame fourth quarter in which Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo found themselves benched with their team down 30 and five minutes to play.
Forbes sank three shots behind the arc himself as every Bucks player aside from DiVincenzo notched at least 13 points in the win.
Milwaukee may not have won the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference, but it may have ended up with the best draw, getting to feast on a worn down Heat club before likely facing the Brooklyn Nets in the second roundâBrooklyn leads the Boston Celtics 2-0 in their series.
By the end of the night, the Bucks had shot 48.3 percent from the floor while playing a much more athletic brand of basketball. Miami could only attempt to shoot their way back into contention.
It wouldnât work. Whatever halftime adjustments Spoelstra made, they were quickly cancelled out by Milwaukeeâs third quarter performance which all but secured a third straight victory over the Heat.
Now the Bucks need just one more win to sweep Miami after the Heat eliminated Milwaukee in five games during the second round last summer.
Heat Offense Stays Cold In Game 3
Itâd be easy to forgive casual NBA viewers for mistaking Thursdayâs Heat performance for a mid-December contest rather than a crucial postseason matchup.
Miamiâs offense looked disjointed, failing to consistently get good looks at the rim and routinely failing to cash in on the good possession the Heat did put together. Itâd also be easy to mistake Miamiâs roster for a group that hadnât spent much time together, not one that won the Eastern Conference less than a year ago.
What Miami did look like on Thursday was lifeless.
Aside from Butler, who notched his best outing of the postseason so far, the Heat never got into rhythm. Instead, they trailed by double digits from the end of the first quarter until the end of regulation with the Bucks leading by as much as 32.
The only lead Miami held all night was 2-0 after Bam Adebayo opened up the scoring one minute into regulation.
Instead, the Heat shot 37.6 percent from the floor (32-of-85) as head coach Erik Spoelstraâs decision to insert Dragic into the starting lineup failed to pay off. The shooting guard netted just five points and two assists in the first half before finishing with eight points on 14 field goal attempts.
Now facing a 3-0 series deficit, the Heat will have to make NBA history or begin enjoying their offseason earlier than expected. No team in NBA history has come back from a 3-0 deficit.
If returning to their home court, adjusting the starting lineup and having their fans pack the American Airlines Arena didnât help change the Heatâs fortunes, itâs hard to imagine what will at this point.
After a charmed run to the NBA Finals in 2020, Miami appears to have run out of magic.
What's Next
Game 4 between the Bucks and Heat is scheduled for Saturday, May 29 at 1:30 p.m. ET on TNT.
Jimmy Butler: I Don't Think Heat Can Play Any Worse Than Game 2 Blowout Loss to Bucks
May 25, 2021
Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) falls to the floor against the Milwaukee Bucks during the first half of Game 2 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Monday, May 24, 2021, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps)
Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler offered a reasonable outlook heading into Game 3 of his team's first-round playoff series against the Milwaukee Bucks after a blowout loss in Game 2 on Monday night.
"The bright spot is I don't think we could play any worse," Butler told reporters after the Heat fell 132-98, going down 2-0 in the series.
The Heat trailed 8-0 early, and Bam Adebayo missed his first three shots. It got worse from there, as they were down 46-20 at the end of the first quarter. The Bucks never let up, leading by as many as 36.
"They are a great first-quarter team," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. "This game got out of hand quickly."
Milwaukee ended the night making a postseason franchise-record 22 threes on 53 attempts.
Bryn Forbes was an unexpected star for the Bucks, scoring 14 first-quarter points off the bench. He ended the night with 22 points and six threes in just 20 minutes after scoring five points in the Bucks' 109-107 overtime victory in Game 1.
Two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo had a strong overall game, finishing with 31 points, 13 rebounds, six assists, three steals and a block on 12-of-23 shooting.
Beyond the Heat's shooting struggles (33-of-82), the Bucks dominated them on the glass with a 61-36 edge overall and a 21-9 advantage on offensive rebounds.
Butler finished with just 10 points on 4-of-10 shooting, while Adebayo had 16 points. Surprisingly, Dewayne Dedmon led the Heat in scoring with 19, his highest total since February 2019 and a postseason career high.
The 2019-20 Eastern Conference champs will now need to win four of the next five games to make it out of the first round. Game 3 will tip off at 7:30 p.m. ET on Thursday in Miami.
Khris Middleton Last-Second Shot Gives Bucks OT Win vs. Jimmy Butler, Heat in Game 1
May 22, 2021
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - MAY 22: Khris Middleton #22 of the Milwaukee Bucks shoots in the first quarter against the Miami Heat during Game 1 of their Eastern Conference first-round playoff series at Fiserv Forum on May 22, 2021 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)
The Milwaukee Bucks are off to a much better start in this year's playoffs after their 109-107 overtime win over the Miami Heat in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference postseason series on Saturday at Fiserv Forum.
Khris Middleton's jumper with 0.5 seconds remaining provided the difference for the Bucks.
Jrue Holiday's fastbreak layup with 39.3 seconds remaining in overtime gave the Bucks a three-point advantage. It was his first made field goal since the 6:04 mark of the fourth quarter.
Goran Dragic tied the game after an offensive rebound from Bam Adebayo, but with 20 seconds to play, Middleton was able to play hero for the Bucks.
Giannis Antetokounmpo didn't have a great game overall, but he made two huge plays down the stretch starting with a free throw that put the Bucks up 98-97 with 34.3 seconds remaining in regulation.
On Miami's ensuing possession, Antetokounmpo knocked the ball out of Jimmy Butler's hands to force a jump ball. The Bucks got possession back, and Antetokounmpo made one of two free throws after being fouled to increase the lead to two with nine seconds remaining.
Butler sent the game into overtime with a layup as time expired after blowing past Antetokounmpo to the basket.
After the Bucks posted the NBA's best regular-season record last year, they lost the opening game of their first-round series with the Orlando Magic before winning the series 4-1. Their strong play didn't continue, however, as they were eliminated in the second round of the postseason in five games by Miami.
Milwaukee's front office got aggressive in the offseason to acquire Holiday with the hopes his versatile all-around game would be the missing piece for this team to reach the NBA Finals.
The Heat struggled to find a consistent rhythm for most of the 2020-21 season, but they closed the year on a roll with 18 wins in their final 26 games.
Both teams struggled down the stretch, combining for 58points in the fourth quarter and overtime.
Antetokounmpo's struggles from the free-throw line remain a problem. He missed four of his last five attempts from the charity stripe in regulation and was called for a 10-second violation.
The Heat weren't an offensive juggernaut for most of the regular season, but they turned it on down the stretch. Their offensive rating of 122.2 over the final nine games ranked second in the NBA, per NBA.com.
Milwaukee was the best offense in the NBA during the regular season by points per game (120.1) and ranked fourth in rating (116.5).
Despite the amount of offensive talent that was going to be on the court Saturday, it seemed like whichever defense stepped up would make the difference in Game 1.
Early on, it looked like the Heat were going to keep having their way with the Bucks. Butler had Antetokounmpo off balance in the first quarter.
Milwaukee managed just 22 points in the first 12 minutes. Head coach Mike Budenholzer, who is facing a lot of pressure this postseason, rallied his team in the second quarter.
The Bucks dropped 31 points in the second to take a 53-50 lead into halftime. They did that despite shooting just 11.8 percent from behind the arc.
In the first half, the Bucks were just 2/17 from 3-point range, but were 11/13 at the rim. Miami had 11 turnovers, including 6 that were live-ball. pic.twitter.com/lUwC9h3kBH
The Bucks finished up shooting 5-of-31 from behind the three-point line. Miami went 20-of-50 from deep, prompting ESPN's Kevin Pelton to note the historical nature of this loss:
No team has ever won a playoff game making 14 fewer 3s than their opponent. The largest differential in a win was -12 by the 2015 Grizzlies over Portland and last year's Thunder over Houston, per @stathead: https://t.co/9qXFHUm6BL
Unlike previous years when Budenholzer seemed like he was carefully managing Antetokounmpo's minutes in the playoffs, the two-time NBA MVP was cut loose in the first half:
Giannis Antetokounmpo took 16 shots in the first half, tying his career-most for any first half. (Done on three previous occasions.)
He played 20:03, two seconds shy of his first-half high for the season.
Antetokounmpo still has issues against Miami's defense that he's been unable to figure out. He missed 17 of 27 field-goal attempts and shot below 50 percent from the free-throw line (6-of-13).
While Antetokounmpo is going to command most of the attention as the Bucks' best player, it was the team's two new additions that played a huge role in Saturday's game.
P.J. Tucker was acquired from the Houston Rockets in March to provide defense on the wing. He finished Game 1 with a plus-eight rating despite scoring zero points and attempting one field goal in 18 minutes.
Holiday dropped 20 points, grabbed 11 rebounds and disrupted Butler's final three-point attempt in overtime to seal the win.
Holiday was acquired to be a difference-maker for this type of moment. He gave the Bucks exactly what they needed in his first playoff appearance for the organization.
Butler, Adebayo Struggle in Loss
Few people were paying attention to Milwaukee's 2-1 advantage over the Heat in the regular season because Butler sat out all three games between the two teams.
Based on his performance in Game 1, Butler wouldn't have made much of a difference in any of those matchups. The five-time All-Star did have a few nice moments on the defensive end, but his 18.2 field-goal percentage was his second-worst mark of the season (0-of-6 on Jan. 1).
This is the 100th game in which Jimmy Butler has taken at least 10 shots by halftime.
He's 1 for 10 today.
Out of those 100 games, that shooting percentage ranks ... 100th.
When the Heat weren't making threes, though, their only source of offense was when they got to the free-throw line. They were just 16-of-49 on two-point attempts.
Butler and Adebayo combined to go 8-of-37 from the field.
Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo struggled from the field in today's loss...
— HEAT on FanDuel Sports Network (@FanDuelSN_Heat) May 22, 2021
Miami's run to the Finals last year was sparked by Adebayo playing like a superstar and Herro shooting 37.5 percent from three in 21 games.
If those two things aren't going to happen again this postseason, the Heat will find themselves in trouble. They weren't able to intimidate the Bucks like they did last time these teams met in the playoffs.
What's Next?
The Heat and Bucks will play Game 2 at Fiserv Forum on Monday at 7:30 p.m. ET.
Heat's Victor Oladipo Could Be Cleared for Full Contact by November After Quad Injury
May 22, 2021
MIAMI, FL - APRIL 08: Victor Oladipo #4 of the Miami Heat holds his right knee after being injured in the second half against the Los Angeles Lakers at American Airlines Arena on April 8, 2021 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.(Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images)
Victor Oladipo could be cleared for full contact as soon as November after he underwent surgery to repair his quadriceps tendon.
Dr. Jonathan Glashow, the orthopedic surgeon who operated on Oladipo, told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski that he's "optimistic" he will be able to clear the two-time All-Star within six months.
"[The surgery] went extremely well, and it's healing beautifully," Glashow said. "I'm confident he'll play next year."
The Miami Heat announced on May 12 that Oladipo elected to have season-ending surgery on his right quadriceps tendon.
This marks the second time in three years Oladipo has undergone a procedure on the quad tendon. While playing for the Indiana Pacers, he ruptured the tendon during a Jan. 23, 2019, game against the Toronto Raptors.
That initial surgery kept Oladipo out of action for 12 months.
Glashow told Wojnarowski he did the second surgery "a little differently" than the previous doctor did it in 2019.
"The quad wasn't really hooked up," Glashow said. "It was torn, and I reattached it. I was amazed he was playing with what he had."
Oladipo averaged 19.8 points on 40.8 percent shooting, 4.8 rebounds and 4.6 assists in 33 games this season. He spent time with the Indiana Pacers, Houston Rockets and Heat.
The 29-year-old will be an unrestricted free agent this summer.
Shams: Jimmy Butler Had 'Very Testy Moments' with Heat During 2020-21 Season
May 21, 2021
MIAMI, FLORIDA - MAY 13: Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat is defended by Danny Green #14 of the Philadelphia 76ers during the first quarter at American Airlines Arena on May 13, 2021 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
On the eve of the Miami Heat's playoff-opening game against the Milwaukee Bucks, Shams Charania of Stadium and The Athletic reported that forward Jimmy Butler has had "very, very testy moments" with his team's coaching staff and roster this year.
"I'm told there has been very, very testy moments behind the scenes between Jimmy, that coaching staff and the roster at different points."
Regardless of what is or isn't going on behind the scenes, there's no denying the significant impact Butler has had on the court.
During the 2019 offseason, Butler signed a four-year, $140.8 million contract with the Philadelphia 76ers, who dealt him to the Heat in a sign-and-trade.
Under Butler's leadership, the Heat improved from 39-43 the year before to 44-29, good for the No. 5 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs. Butler earned his fifth All-Star Game appearance in 2019-20 as well.
Miami then rolled to the NBA Finals after going 12-3 in the first three rounds of the postseason, defeating the higher-seeded Indiana Pacers, Bucks and Boston Celtics. The Heat fell to the Los Angeles Lakers in six games in the Finals.
This year, Butler averaged 21.5 points, 7.1 assists, 6.9 rebounds and 2.1 steals for a team that went 40-32 despite numerous absences from key members of the rotation.
Butler was among them, missing 20 games, but he finished fifth in the NBA with 9.3 win shares, per Basketball Reference. Miami went 33-19 with Butler on the court and 7-13 without him.
The Heat will be starting their 2021 playoff run against the third-seeded Bucks at Fiserv Forum at 2 p.m. ET on Saturday.
Heat's Bam Adebayo Tweets 'Haha' After Defensive Player of the Year Finalist Snub
May 21, 2021
MIAMI, FL - APRIL 19: Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers and Bam Adebayo #13 of the Miami Heat battle for a rebound during the second quarter of the game at American Airlines Arena on April 19, 2018 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images)
It would appear Bam Adebayo isn't thrilled he wasn't a finalist for Defensive Player of the Year.
The Miami Heat center fired off the following tweet shortly after Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert, Philadelphia 76ers point guard Ben Simmons and Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green were named as the DPOY finalists:
In defense of the award voters, Gobert, Simmons and Green all make excellent cases. Gobert remains arguably the league's most impactful defensive center. Simmons is Philly's go-to stopper, the extraordinarily rare player capable of locking down any position, 1-5. And Green is the fulcrum of Golden State's defense and one of the league's smartest players on that end of the court.
Adebayo remains an excellent defensive player, but given the finalists chosen, it's hard to label his exclusion a snub.
Jimmy Butler Says He's 'Stupidly Locked In' Ahead of Heat vs. Bucks Playoff Series
May 20, 2021
MIAMI, FLORIDA - MAY 13: Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat high fives Bam Adebayo #13 against the Philadelphia 76ers during the first quarter at American Airlines Arena on May 13, 2021 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Jimmy Butler is ready for the postseason. Like, really ready.
"I think I'm stupidly locked in," he told reporters on Thursday, as the Miami Heat prepare for their first round series vs. the Milwaukee Bucks.
It's unclear how much of a boost "stupidly locked in" provides as opposed to just regular, old "locked in," but if it's anything like what Butler showed in last year's postseason, well, it's good news for Miami.
That version of Butler led the Heat to the NBA Finals, averaging 22.2 points, 6.5 rebounds, six assists and two steals per game while shooting 48.8 percent from the field and 34.9 percent from three.
The 31-year-old did miss 20 games this season to injury, and his health may be a storyline in the postseason. But the Heat head into the playoffs as one of the hotter teams in the NBA, going 12-4 from April 18 on.
âWeâre ready for anything,â Butler told reporters Thursday. âEveryone is gaining more and more confidence, knowing what weâre going to be doing possession to possession, and how together we are more than ever. Thatâs what itâs going to take. Everyone is in here early, studying every part of the Bucks ⌠I like our chances anywhere. First to 16 wins. Iâm ready to go.â
To reach the NBA Finals again, however, the Heat will likely need to go through the gauntlet in the Eastern Conference, facing the 3-seed Bucks, the 2-seed Brooklyn Nets and the 1-seed Philadelphia 76ers, all without homecourt advantage in any of those series.
It's a huge task. And with fans back in the stands, even in limited capacities, homecourt advantage should play a bigger part in this year's postseason, unlike last year's bubble playoffs.
So Butler is going to have to be locked in to get the Heat back to the NBA Finals. Stupidly locked in, even.
"They expect me to be a completely different individual player on both sides of the ball, every aspect," Butler said of the postseason. "I like it. You donât hold anything back. You leave it all out there."
