The Milwaukee Bucks welcomed Giannis Antetokounmpo back to the lineup after he suffered a lower back injury in game one. Yet Jimmy Butler wasn’t in the welcoming mood and stole the show on Monday night.
He scorched the Bucks defense for 56 points on 19-28 shooting, made 15-18 free throws and his only blemish of the night was only making three threes on eight attempts. The Heat pulled off the 119-114 victory and now control the series with a 3-1 lead.
Butler dominated in the first quarter scoring 22 of the 28 points scored by the Heat. In the second quarter he only managed two points, he came back strong in the third quarter with 11 points, and took over in the fourth scoring 21 and more impressively he made five of six free throws to seal the victory.
As for Giannis he finished with a triple-double. Scoring 26 points, dishing out 13 assists, and grabbing 10 rebounds. Yet Milwaukee the no.1 seed out of the Eastern Conference is on the verge of being sent home in the first round.
Also, the Bucks will need to address their defense as in the fourth quarter the Heat scored 41 points.
As for Butler this is one of the more impressive performances in recent playoff history. The 56 points is a playoff record for the Heat as he surpassed LeBron James who was the previous record holder with 49, which was accomplished in May 2014 against the Brooklyn Nets.
Twitter was quick to react to Butler’s performance. Here is a look at what was said including a reaction from Erik Spolestra.
Jimmy Butler can carry a team. 56 points is crazy!
— Chad Carter (Iowa Hawkeye Fan) (@ChadACarter1996) April 25, 2023
“He is one of the most intelligent basketball players in this association. You can’t do what he does just by running around and trying to figure things out.”
Erik Spoelstra on Jimmy Butler after his historic performance 🙌pic.twitter.com/u9DzAPUXGP
— Heat Nation (@HeatNationCP) April 25, 2023
Okay JIMMY BUTLER! 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 DAAAAAMMMMMNNNN
— FRANCIS (@JP52746053) April 25, 2023
Unbelievable. Turned the game off with 6 minutes left expecting the series to go 2-2…next thing I know, Miami goes on a 13-0 run and ends up winning the game. Postseason Jimmy Butler is unreal!!!
— Tommy Shades (@tommytwoshades) April 25, 2023