Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (sprained right ankle) is downgraded to questionable in Tuesday’s Game 2 Round 2 game against the New York Knicks in the 2023 NBA Playoffs.
“We’re just playing great basketball. We’re together, at home, on the road, through the good and the bad. We think we can do something special,” Butler said in a post-game interview after sustaining his injury in the fourth quarter of Game 1.
At many NBA betting sites, the Heat hold the seventh shortest odds of winning the championship. Few sportsbooks show better odds for the Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers in the Eastern Playoffs.
Jimmy Butler is listed to play in Game 2 due to a sprained right ankle, per @tweet# The NBA #heat #HeatCulture pic.twitter.com/eJTZipbzo9
– NBAWire (officialNBAwire) May 1, 2023
In Miami’s 108-101 second round win over the New York Knicks in Game 1 of the 2023 NBA Playoffs, the six-time All-Star recorded 25 points, 11 rebounds, four assists and two steals in 44 minutes of action. In addition, the forward shot 8-of-16 (50%) from the field and 9-of-11 (81.8%) at the foul line.
The Heat forward became the fifth player in NBA history to score at least 25 points on 50% shooting over six consecutive postseason games, joining LeBron James, Michael Jordan, Bernard King and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (twice).
In addition, Butler (98 points) became the seventh player in NBA history to score at least 95 points in two games in the playoffs, joining Jordan, Jerry West, Elgin Baylor, Kevin Durant, Rick Barry and Wilt Chamberlain.
Heat forward Jimmy Butler (ankle) was downgraded to questionable in Tuesday night’s Game 2 game against the Knicks.
Through six postseason playoff games, Butler averaged 35.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, 4.7 assists, 1.8 steals and 38.3 minutes per game. The 12-year-old veteran also shoots 58.5% from the floor and 42.9% from outside the arc.
In the Heat’s 119-114 first round win over Milwaukee in Game 4, the forward scored a career-high 56 points in 41 minutes. Along with notching nine boards, two assists, and one block, Jimmy Butler shot 19-of-28 (67.9%) from the field and drained three three-pointers.
Other players included in Miami’s injury report include Victor Oladipo (knee), Haywood Highsmith (knee), and Tyler Hero (to hand in). Oladipo is out for the season, Highsmith is promoted to potential, and Herro is staying indefinitely.
Knicks injury report for the second Knicks Heat game Tuesday:
– Jalen Bronson (his right ankle hurts) is questionable
– Julius Randel (his left ankle is sprained) is in question pic.twitter.com/ATla58PGoM
– New York Basketball (NBA_NewYork) May 1, 2023
Meanwhile, the Knicks’ Julius Randle (ankle) and Jalen Bronson (ankle) are listed as suspect. Jericho Sims (shoulder) also stays off season. New York is 12-4 in their last 16 home games. The Knicks have been 6-2 in their past eight games when they’ve played as opponents, too.
According to ESPN’s Basketball Strength Index, the Knicks have a 79.9% chance of winning Game 2 at Madison Square Garden. Sportsbooks show the Heat 6.5 points away.