After missing ten games due to Covid protocols, Jimmy Butler finally got the green light to return to the court against the Kings. Butler didn’t disappoint as he finished with 30 points to end the Heat’s five-game losing streak. Here’s how the Miami Heat pulled off the victory against Sacramento to win their seventh game of the season.
Stats
Both Miami and Sacramento had similar stat sheets on Saturday night. Miami had 16 turnovers and 48 rebounds while the Kings had 17 turnovers and 47 rebounds. Kings star De’Aaron Fox dropped 30 points with six assists and six rebounds. Teammate Buddy Hield had 18 points, shooting 6-for-13 from the three-point line. In total, the Kings shot 48.2% from the field and 37.8% from behind the arc.
For Miami, KZ Okpala who started, had zero points in seven minutes. Meanwhile, Bam Adebayo had 18 points and 13 rebounds. Adebayo had the game-winning block to seal the deal for the Heat. Tyler Herro also had a good game, racking up 15 points and three assists. But the Heat may be without Herro for the next few games after someone in his household tested positive for Covid-19.
“We were waiting for his test results,” Spoelstra said, as quoted by the South Florida Sun Sentinel. “At that point he wasn’t available in the first quarter, so I went a different direction. … It’s just one of those unfortunate things. I guess if those type of things are going to happen, it’ll happen to us.”
Jimmy Butler
After missing the past 10 games because of Covid-19, Jimmy Butler finally returned to the floor. In his absence after testing positive for the coronavirus, Butler lost 15 pounds. On Saturday night against the Sacramento Kings, Butler returned dropping 30 points, with seven rebounds and eight assists, snapping the Heat’s five game losing streak.
“I just want to compete,” Butler said. “That’s it. I want to be with my guys. We’re in this thing together. I realize, I think I’m a decent player and I give us maybe a little bit better of a chance to win. I respect them for how hard they play and how they never give up. I’m just glad that I can be back. I’m glad that I can help and be around my dudes.”
The Heat now sit at 7-12, hoping for Jimmy Butler to get the Heat back in the winning column.
Whats’ Next?
Miami will face the Hornets for the first time this season on February 1, at 7:30 PM. While it is unlikely for Tyler Herro to play, the Heat hope to have PG Goran Dragic back in the lineup.