Fun and focus have been the pillars behind the Miami Heat’s turnaround in recent weeks.
While adding wins absolutely helps that formula, the return of Jimmy Butler (both on and off the court) has been the most critical variable, as Miami’s leading man brings buckets and jokes for his teammates to enjoy. Staying connected has been important for the Heat, who have experienced an oddly transient and spotty schedule to begin the season. Earlier this month, the Heat had a six-game road trip, which marked their longest before December since 2017. Sunday was just the second time in the young season the Heat played consecutive home games. In fact, it was only the team’s second overall game in the last week.
Rest, rehabilitation and community outreach were Miami’s priorities during last week’s five-day layoff. Needed downtime to simply recharge and enjoy familiar surroundings while working to correct an awkward start to the season. Miami (7-7) started 3-5, struggled to close out games and faced an early injury bug as coach Erik Spoelstra sought sound lineup combinations to avoid sinking too low in the Eastern Conference standings.
“I didn’t mind it,” Spoelstra said about the downtime before Sunday’s matchup against the visiting Dallas Mavericks. “The schedule is always going to be 41 on the road, 41 at home. I don’t really overthink that stuff. I really don’t waste any time on that. It was a little bit strange after that long road trip. And then, when we came back, we all thought your body was thinking you would have a day off. But then, we played immediately, so I wanted to see if we could take on the challenge and win that game without excuses.
“After that, we all needed two days just to get from each other and recalibrate and get some practice time. It doesn’t guarantee you anything, but the work was productive. And now, we’re looking forward to just doing what we’re paid to do — compete in games.”
Despite a four-game absence with ankle woes, Butler remains one of the NBA’s fiercest competitors and has simply played incredible basketball since returning to the Heat rotation. He’s averaging 31.5 points with a true shooting percentage of 75.4. The six-time All-Star has been filling every key gap. Rebounds? His 9.5 per game since returning trails only Bam Adebayo (12) for the team lead. Setting up teammates? Butler is dishing 5.5 dimes per game since returning. If you’re big into controlling pace and possessions, he’s been plenty fine at that too. The 35-year-old forward’s 29 free-throw attempts since coming back are his third-most in any two-game span over the last three seasons.
Last week, after registering more free throws than the Philadelphia 76ers, Butler said he enjoys attacking the basket because he believes it grants a timely break to everybody, including himself. On Sunday, though, there was a moment where Butler was on the receiving end of timely help as the Heat forced overtime in their eventual win over the Mavericks.
“I hate to say, but Duncan Robinson made an incredible pass,” Butler quipped afterward.
Although Butler may hate to admit his teammate deserves a compliment, that isn’t to say he and the Heat aren’t having fun as they enjoy returning to .500 and continue supporting one another through the season’s ebbs and flows … with timely assists or tongue-in-cheek humor.
With just over a minute remaining in Sunday’s matchup, Butler drove past Naji Marshall to take on Dereck Lively II at the rim before flipping in a left-handed shot attempt over his head as Miami took a one-point lead. Since returning from his ankle injury, Butler is shooting 77 percent on 15.5 drive attempts per game.
Tyler Herro, who leads Miami with 23.8 points per game this season, was jokingly tabbed by Butler as the “1B” to the latter’s “1A” in Miami’s scoring pecking order. He didn’t seem too impressed by his All-Star teammate’s clutch-time heroics, but good teammates help keep each other humble and focused on the moment, right?
“That s— was lucky as hell,” Herro joked Sunday.
Whether it’s easiest to credit timely luck, infectious fun or collective focus, the Heat have been enjoying their best basketball of the young season by trusting one another. After struggling to maintain big leads or to close out close games, Miami is sixth in second-half net rating (plus-7.2) since Nov. 10, illustrating signs of a team stringing together fuller performances and simply trusting the next player called to duty. Injuries remain variables, but Spoelstra will never lean on those excuses. A week ago, reserve guard and defensive specialist Dru Smith starred in his most extensive appearance of the season (10 points, six rebounds, three steals in 25 minutes). Now? He’s nursing a right knee bruise. Such absences are opportunities for other Heat role players to step up. On Sunday, Alec Burks played a season-high 30 minutes and tied his season-high in points (15, 4-of-8 shooting on 3s). This season, Miami is 4-1 when the 33-year-old guard plays at least 15 minutes.
“That unit just gave us a spark,” Spoelstra said of his bench unit. “Alec made some timely baskets. That’s what this guy does. … He also just gave us some real steady play.”
Miami will always remain strong with trusting role players to thrive, but Butler’s presence and intensity are often what makes the ultimate difference for this iteration of Heat basketball. While Butler’s play can sometimes leave teammates and opponents in awe, Spoelstra credits his star forward’s sharp mind for always being prepared to contribute and lead Miami.
“He has the highest percentile of processing speed when the ball is in his hands,” Spoelstra said of Butler. “That was there our first year [2019-20]. The uniqueness of how he does it is, he can bring this rugged, physicality, intensity — a toe-the-line intensity — and slow everything down in the moments of truth. That’s part of his genius.”
( Top photo: Rich Storry / Getty Images )
