Jimmy Butler put up another iconic playoff game in a Miami Heat jersey after leading his team to a 115-105 win over the Atlanta Hawks and take a 2-0 series lead in the first round of the Playoffs. While the Heat are the #1 seed in the East, many were expecting the Hawks to have more competitive games than the ones we have seen so far.
Butler had 45 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals on the night, leading his team’s offense from the front. Considering Butler isn’t the most polished scorer, NBA fans were going crazy watching Butler play the way he was. We had seen it in the 2020 NBA Finals when he forced the Heat to a Game 5 win, but this performance was needed for people to remember how lethal Butler can be.
Miami fans on Twitter were having a blast looking at how their team leader took the game into his own hands and finished it off.
Jimmy Butler playoff career high:
45 PTS
5 REB
5 AST
15-25 FG
4-7 3P
He joins LeBron and DWade as the only Heat players with a 45-point playoff game. pic.twitter.com/32aW6npaJA
— StatMuse (@statmuse) April 20, 2022
Jimmy Butler could care less about his numbers he’s all about the Ws but he could 25 a night if he wanted too. Respect
— kuz (@kylekuzma) April 20, 2022
Everybody gangsta til Jimmy Butler start hitting threes
— dyson daniels floater (@killmesIime) April 20, 2022
Jimmy Butler's night so far. pic.twitter.com/Sm3DSqMhEA
— Tim Reynolds (@ByTimReynolds) April 20, 2022
We love aggressive Butler
— 𝙃𝙀𝘼𝙏 𝙉𝘼𝙏𝙄𝙊𝙉 (@HeatvsHaters) April 20, 2022
JIMMY. BUCKETS. 😤 pic.twitter.com/wcOrzHncOg
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 20, 2022
Give Jimmy Butler his respect. pic.twitter.com/qvhjqdYo1w
— CJ ✯ (@YoooItsCJJ) April 20, 2022
Jimmy Butler is playing at his peak level, right now, and has been the best player in the first game & a half + of this series, by far.
Don't tell PPG Twitter.
— Ariel Attias (@Arielattias2) April 20, 2022
https://twitter.com/JimmysBurner5/status/1516599083703672833
Why Jimmy Butler’s 45 against Atlanta was more impressive than LeBron’s 45 in game 6 vs Boston 2012, tomorrow on Undisputed.
— Ballsack Sports (@BallsackSports) April 20, 2022
Remember when Draymond said there’s “82 game players” and “16 game players”?
Well Jimmy Butler is a vintage 16 game player, and every damn year folks sleep on his impact on winning.
He’s just fantastic.
— nick wright (@getnickwright) April 20, 2022
https://twitter.com/TheSASBurner/status/1516599349077327876https://twitter.com/TrolledByHerro/status/1516597180873728004
“Point at an absolute DAWGGG” they said
Jimmy Butler going HAMsky tonight.. DOMINANT pic.twitter.com/8djlCsUfGa
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) April 20, 2022
ITS JIMMY BUTLER’S WORLD
— 𝙃𝙀𝘼𝙏 𝙉𝘼𝙏𝙄𝙊𝙉 (@HeatvsHaters) April 20, 2022
The Miami Heat will need to travel to Atlanta for the next two games of the series, hoping that they can close this out as quickly as possible. Their second-round matchup will emerge out of the Toronto Raptors vs Philadelphia 76ers matchup, in which Philly is currently leading 2-0.
Butler’s offensive inconsistency in the regular season causes people to forget how legitimate he has been as a playoff performer. Outside last season where the Heat entered the playoffs in a season where most of their team had COVID and couldn’t build chemistry, Butler has been very consistent in a Heat jersey.
If the window is open again for the Heat, their best chance will be to make something happen this year before the younger teams in the East develop talent for next season. It has been a great start to the Playoffs for Butler and Miami, but none of it matters if they can’t sustain it and bring another title.
