8/17/2023 0 Comments Butler basketball schedule 2021![]() ![]() Led by Butler, the Heat have become the first play-in team to reach the Finals and just the second eighth seed to reach this stage - after the 1999 New York Knicks, who lost to the San Antonio Spurs. In four years with Miami he has led the Heat to the Finals twice, losing to the Lakers in 2020, and in three of those seasons his average for points per game has been higher in the post-season.ĭescribed as a "warrior" by Denver coach Michael Malone, the 33-year-old was named MVP for the Eastern Conference Finals after scoring a game-high 28 points as the Heat held off a Boston Celtics fightback to win the series 4-3.Īt the start of the play-offs, Miami's odds to win the NBA title were 150-1 - the longest of any team to reach the Finals since the NBA merged with the ABA in 1976. While his talent was clear, there were doubts over his leadership style and he was moved on by three teams in quick succession.īut with Miami the small forward has become known as 'play-off Jimmy' for his tendency to raise his game in the post-season.Īsked about his nickname after scoring a team-record 56 points in the first round of this year's play-offs, he said: "It's not a thing." Like Jokic, Jimmy Butler came into the NBA as an unheralded draft prospect after being selected 30th overall by the Chicago Bulls in 2011. We can't have defensive lapses, we're going to have to lock in." Is 'play-off Jimmy' really a thing? "We're going to have to be in the gaps, to gang rebound. "We have to make things tough, get him out of his comfort zone, and figure out a way to get the job done regardless."Īsked what is key to slowing down Jokic, Miami star Jimmy Butler replied: "Guarding him as a team with all five guys. Long-serving Miami coach Erik Spoelstra said: "I don't think there's any version of a 'stopper' in this association. I think that's why it's going to be interesting." We are getting everybody involved, we like to play team basketball. Miami are expected to task rival big man Bam Adebayo with containing Jokic, who has formed one of the NBA's most threatening offensive duos with Jamal Murray.īut the Serb said: "It's not Bam against me or anybody against anybody. Jokic has averaged a triple-double across those games, winning MVP for the Western Conference Finals as Denver swept the Los Angeles Lakers 4-0. "He doesn't have to look at you, he'll pass it to you right where you need it, so he is truly incredible to watch."ĭenver have a 12-3 record in this year's play-offs and won both games with Miami in the regular season. "If you try to double-team him, he knows where everyone is and makes the right pass. "He just has incredible patience that no-one can rush him," Nnaji added. "His IQ is off the charts, and it's great because he goes against guys who are stronger, more athletic, and he absolutely torches them. "He sees everything, he has eyes in the back of his head. ![]() ![]() "He is literally a wizard on the court," Denver forward Zeke Nnaji told the BBC. Since then, the Nuggets have developed into championship contenders, with Jokic becoming the face of the franchise.Ī dominant 6ft 11in centre, the 28-year-old was named the NBA's Most Valuable Player in 20, and coach Malone says Jokic takes more joy from creating for team-mates than scoring himself. The two-time MVP who 'torches' oppositionĭenver selected Serbia's Nikola Jokic 41st overall in the 2014 draft. How Denver Nuggets' Zeke Nnaji promotes AI and virtual reality.Warriors 2022 title win is Curry's 'crowning achievement'.'I have a lot to think about' - LeBron James on Lakers future.The NBA Finals are scheduled for 1-18 June, with the first game in Denver, live on BBC One.īut who are the key men and why is tennis star Coco Gauff hoping the best-of-seven series goes the distance? They survived, and two months later, the Eastern Conference's eighth seed also have a chance to create history after a remarkable play-off run. Meanwhile, Miami's play-off campaign was almost over before it began as the three-time champions lost their first game of the play-in tournament. Top seeds in the Western Conference, Denver are favourites having powered through the play-offs to reach the Finals for the first time in their 56-year history.
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