Jimmy Butler scores only 11 points in return to Miami as Warriors lose to Heat 112-86

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Jimmy Butler III insisted that his return to Miami after the Heat traded him to the Golden State Warriors was just “another game” for him. And, well, he basically played like it for the first two quarters of Tuesday night’s 112-86 defeat.

Butler had only two points with three rebounds in the first half, shooting 1 of 6 from the floor, and the Warriors trailed 57-40 at halftime. He looked for his shot more aggressively in the third quarter, scoring nine points. Butler finished with 11 points and six rebounds in 29 minutes.

The Heat played a tribute video to Butler before pregame introductions, and the home crowd at Kaseya Center gave him a largely positive reaction, though some booing was audible. While Miami giving Butler a tribute seemed uncertain given how he left, team policy is to produce videos for players who won an NBA championship or were All-Stars with the Heat.

Golden State closed to within 78-70 in the final minute of the third on a 3-pointer from Jonathan Kuminga. But the Heat closed out the quarter with a Tyler Herro floater and a 3 by Davion Mitchell to go into the fourth with a 13-point lead.

Miami dominated the final 12 minutes, outscoring the Warriors 29-16. Bam Adebayo led all scorers with 27 points, adding eight rebounds. Herro followed with 20 points and seven assists, hitting all four of his 3-point attempts. Alec Burks shot 5 of 7 on his 3s, finishing with 17 points. The Heat shot 70% (16 of 23) from long range.

The loss could be problematic for Golden State, which is currently in the No. 6 spot in the Western Conference but battling the Los Angeles Lakers and Memphis Grizzlies for the Nos. 4 and 5 seeds. Miami, meanwhile, has a firm hold on the East’s No. 10 seed and final spot in the play-in tournament, despite its recent 10-game losing streak.

The Heat have gone 6-17 since trading Butler, while the Warriors have gone 16-5 since adding him.

The Heat dealt Butler to the Warriors at the NBA trade deadline after a tumultuous relationship developed between the two sides going back to the offseason. Amid reports that Butler wanted a contract extension, team president Pat Riley publicly rebuked…

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Author : Ian Casselberry

Publish date : 2025-03-26 01:58:00

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