Monday’s Matchup vs. Sixers Was No Revenge Game for Jimmy Butler

Playing in an arena against a team he used to play for, Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler approached Monday’s game against the Philadelphia 76ers business as usual.

While Butler has certainly proven himself to be the revenge type, he admitted there wasn’t any added motivation going into the first battle between the Sixers and the Heat this season.

“It was a battle of two good teams,” Butler said after the game.

It’s been a couple of years since Butler donned a 76ers uniform. And ever since he joined the Heat, he’s had plenty of success playing against the Sixers. Going into Monday’s game, Butler was 5-3 against Philly in the regular season as a member of the Heat.

Last year in the playoffs, Butler and the Heat put the Sixers away in six games during a seven-game series in the second round of the playoffs. Although Miami currently trails the Sixers in the Eastern Conference standings, it didn’t affect the results of Monday’s matchup.

From the middle of the first quarter up until the final minutes of the game, the Heat controlled the lead over the Sixers. While their most significant lead of the night was just 11 points, Miami prevented the Sixers from turning the tables. Although there were two lead changes in the fourth quarter, Butler and the Heat ultimately defeated the Sixers with a 101-99 victory.

“I did my job,” Butler added. “We did our job.”

The Heat star didn’t go off, but he did exactly what he needed to in order to help his team secure the win. Knocking down nine of his 14 shots from the field and going 4-6 from the charity stripe, Butler produced 23 points in 32 minutes.

“We’ve got to start stringing some things together,” he finished. “We’ve got them again in 72 hours. Probably now 48 hours. We want to do the same thing.”

The Sixers and the Heat will engage in a rematch on Wednesday night down in South Beach. As the Heat are looking to avoid a Play-In scenario, Butler and his team look forward to getting another opportunity to build a winning streak.

Justin Grasso covers the Philadelphia 76ers for All76ers, a Sports Illustrated channel. You can follow him for live updates on Twitter: @JGrasso_.