Miami Heat fans were hyped up as Jimmy Butler was available to play against the Utah Jazz on Saturday. Butler was ruled out for four games with a calf injury he suffered against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Dec 18. He went on to the court, played for 23 minutes, and got injured again.
Jimmy Butler returned after four games, only to be sidelined again
Butler had eight points, two rebounds, one assist, and one block during his short spell against the Jazz. Butler suffered a right foot injury that sidelined him for a long time. Butler averaged 21.5 points, 5.2 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 1.1 steals per game while shooting at 46.2% from the field and 37.7% from the three-point range in 23 matches before the Jazz game.
He has even led his team to playoffs in each of the previous four seasons Butler played for the Miami Heat. He is undoubtedly a big loss for Erik Spoelstra’s side. This constant injury woes have left Miami head coach Erik Spoelstra frustrate.
“I think what we understand a little bit more clearly is what our identity is and what we need to do to win basketball games while we’re trying to tighten up our game on both sides of the court,” said Spoelstra.“That’s not where we want it to be, but you still can find ways to win while you’re building continuity, while you’re dealing with lineup changes, guys in and out of the rotation. It’s a talent to be able to learn how to win despite circumstances. We’re getting a little bit better with that. [H/T Clutch Points]
A crippled Miami Heat squad continue to fight
Miami Heat had a fair share of injury struggles this season. Their leading trio of Bam Adebayo, Jimmy Butler, and Tyler Herro seldom played together. Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro missed 10 and 18 games respectively.
On Nov 8 Herro spoke about how important it is for the trio to play together. “Our connection as a trio has to be really, really tight just because those actions in the fourth quarter,” Herro said at a point of the season when the trio had been available for all but one game. “[Coach Erik Spoelstra] is trying to create as many actions and as many points throughout the game where we can play with us three in the same actions. So just being connected and conscious of trying to get each other the ball in our areas, but also working together where it’s not like we’re taking turns.“ [H/T Yahoo News Canada]
The heat are having a decent season even though they rarely had the chance to play their strongest team. The Heat is currently 4th in the Eastern Conference with 19 wins and 12 losses in their first 31. They will travel to California to face the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday.
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