The Miami Heat recently caused one of the biggest upsets of this year’s postseason. They knocked out the team with the best record in the NBA this season, the Milwaukee Bucks. While the Miami side showed a great collective effort to qualify for the East semifinals, their small forward Jimmy Butler shined the brightest in games 4 & 5, sealing the deal for his team.
Butler dropped two of the finest performances of this season against the top-seeded team. But his job is far from finished. As the Heat prepare to go against the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference semifinals, Butler is laser-focused on the target. Recently, his late-night workout clip surfaced on the Internet, which has hyped up the entire Miami fanbase.
Jimmy Butler reflects the famous ‘Heat Culture’
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The five playoff games between the Heat and the Bucks were dominated by Butler alone. In the four games where the Heat market their victory, the 33-year-old was the main architect. During Game 4, in particular, Butler put on an absolute show against the Milwaukee team. He dropped 56 points with nine rebounds and two assists.
With that, the 6x NBA All-Star joined the elite group of Elgin Baylor, Michael Jordan, and Donovan Mitchell. These are the only three legends who have bettered Butler’s record of scoring in a playoff game.
It wasn’t just about the performance that the Heat put up, spearheaded by Butler, it was also about the matchup between the two teams. The Bucks were top-seeded in the East and were considered the favorites coming into the playoffs. On the other hand, the Heat were the eighth-seed and were not exactly in the championship conversation.
The Miami team even struggled to make it to the playoffs as they had to go through two play-in games. However, Butler had a different plan of attack for the playoffs. Despite all that went against them, the South Beach side managed to shock the entire NBA world while handing out a crushing defeat to the Bucks.
Although they have now successfully made it to the Conference semifinals, their next challenge is the Knicks. It seems like the Heat’s centerpiece has something in store for the New York team as well.
Jimmy Butler getting in a late night workout ahead of tomorrow's Game 1 vs. Knicks 👀
(via @JimmyButler/ IG)pic.twitter.com/SMIvOEca3B
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) April 30, 2023
In a recently posted clip, Butler can be seen showing up for a late-night workout session ahead of the game against the Knicks. Just a glimpse of that video was enough to get the fans fired up.
Jimmy Butler’s late-night workout clip pumps up the Heat fanbase
Before the highly awaited semifinal matchups, the Heat star decided to clock in a few extra hours into his practice. Butler can be seen perfecting his shots from a distance as well as practicing a few combinations. Fans quickly swarmed in the replies to show their excitement while propping up their star. Here are some of the most notable reactions:
Hoops is such a skill and feel game.
It's great to see how much extra work the superstars put in.
There is so much the regular fan doesn't see.
You have to think Kobe's work ethic rubbed off on many of these latest group of stars.
— Pasha Bains (@DRIVEBasketball) April 30, 2023
Now everybody about a Jimmy fan again 😂 y’all was just calling me crazy for calling him ELITE
— Ty Dolla (@TyFadeaway) April 30, 2023
Some players care more than others and those are the ones I’ll always support
— 225 (@Donbalencii) April 30, 2023
those daps were crisp
— Thomas (@percodini) April 30, 2023
One fan already predicted the Heat winning in 6 games
As much as I like the Knicks, the Heat are winning the series in 6 games unfortunately 😔
— B.G (@0BHustle) April 30, 2023
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While another fan said that Butler has an amazing aura
https://twitter.com/haliburton_muse/status/1652541787905617926?s=20
The fans have high hopes that Butler will continue his amazing form and help take his team through.
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What are your predictions for the semifinal matchups? Tell us in the comments below.
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