MAY 6: Butler will be available for Game 3, tweets Tim Reynolds of The Associated Press.
MAY 5: The Heat have yet to offer an official update on Jimmy Butler‘s status for Game 3 vs. the Knicks, but the star forward is planning to play on Saturday, a source tells Ira Winderman of The South Florida Sun Sentinel (Twitter link).
Head coach Erik Spoelstra has continually deflected questions about Butler, who missed Game 2 due to a sprained right ankle and seems likely to be listed as questionable for Game 3. Spoelstra told reporters today that there likely won’t be a definitive update on the injured swingman until close to game time on Saturday.
However, like Winderman, Barry Jackson and Anthony Chiang of The Miami Herald have also heard that there’s optimism about Butler’s chances to play tomorrow.
Obviously, getting Butler back in the lineup would significantly improve the Heat’s odds of defeating the Knicks and advancing to the Eastern Conference Finals. The 33-year-old averaged an eye-popping 37.6 points per game on .597/.444/.708 shooting during Miami’s first-round upset of the Bucks and was the team’s leading scorer in its Game 1 win over New York, racking up 25 points and 11 rebounds in 43 minutes.
With Butler’s status still up in the air, the Knicks have been preparing for both scenarios – the six-time All-Star being available or out – leading up to Game 3.
I think the Knicks are the better and more complete team, but I can’t help rooting for the underdog. No 8-seed has ever won a title, only the ’99 Knicks ever even made it past the second round. Butler, if he’s healthy, could make Miami the first.
Does Miami count as an 8th seed? Per the record, MIA had the 7th best record
Because of the way the Play-in tournament works, yes.
They played the 1-seed in the first round. They’re an 8-seed.
Nobody cares about the play in tournament. So try again
Nobody cares about the play in tournament? What does that even mean. It’s part of the playoffs. Sorry to break it to you hun…
I mean, the people who are in charge of seeding care.
No 7th seed has won the title either. HOU won as a 6th seed, which I believe is still the lowest seeded team to win it. Of course, the playoff field was smaller for a good deal of NBA history.
Not saying that 99 Knicks team would have won. But it would have been fun to see Camby and Ewing. Play Duncan and Robinson.
Remember Ewing played with a broken tibia against Pacers. Who we beat. Then was out for Finals. True Warrior…. That’s Willis Reed shhh.
Ewing is a overrated center
No HOFer is overrated …..
plus he’s one of most successful college players ever ….
This is an overrated comment
“The New York offense is more about creating advantages through Brunson (and Randle to a lesser extent). Because of the zone, the Knicks passed the ball a lot more in Game 2 than they did in Game 1. But they’ve still averaged just 286 passes per 24 minutes of possession, well below their average of 300 per 24 (which ranked 25th) in the regular season. And they’ve recorded assists on just 55.1% of their field goals.“
This is from nba.com. What it means to me. Is too much iso ball. When you got guys with bad wheels. Seems like a bad way to go. Plus 25th in nba is just terrible. When there is NO ball movement. You make it easier to play team D. And a good team D, like the Heat. Will just take advantage of that. Thibs is my guy. But he needs to join the new offense NBA.
Move the Freakin ball …….. iso ball
Is just a nice way to say going nut, going one on one. Ball movement is a must for a good offense ……. K
You know Jimmy wants to play. Sometimes you have to watch over your best players. And take care of them while thinking what’s best for your team. He can play and then won’t be right for rest of series. I hope he’s good. He’s one of my favorite players. But it’s Game Time ……
Attack Jimmy and make him work. Abuse him. We need this one ….. NYK
RJ is the key to me. He can guard Jimmy too. But I’m looking for a big offensive gm today. Come on RJ ……. show us brother.
Jimmy looks pretty good.
Knicks offense is nauseating. I’ve been saying it since we got him. Randle is not a good mix with Jalen. Knicks will not improve with Randle on this team. Going one on one is NOT iso ball. It’s going nut
Terrible first half. We just make it easy for them to play D. No motion and no ball movement. Knicks right now are soft
Terrible gm to watch. Refs just suck. That Vincent foul should be a flagrant. Refs not consistent. That’s the worst you can be.
What have I always complained about these Knicks. Thibs offense and Randle …..
Now you see excatly what I mean …..
After scoring against Cavs. Who had the best team D during season. Knicks have failed sense of confidence against Heat. Heat are a vet playoff team. Knicks are not. And it’s painfully showing. Heat have totally taken them out their offense. And Knicks have not responded yet. Even the gm they won. It was not pretty. And are definitely lucky Jimmy was out. Totally outclassed and outcoached. Have not answered yet. Just terrible team offense.
Gotta give it up to Jimmy. True Warrior
This just in….the Knicks are garbage
Knicker really used the comment section as a live blog
KnickerbockerAl is having a meltdown and Knicks are still garbage.