ESPN’s Analyst JJ Redick Says Jimmy Butler Needs To Show Up For The Miami Heat To Win Game 2
Even though they only trail 1-0, the Miami Heat have to look at Game 2 of the NBA Finals as a must-win.
But in order for them to win, they need to make improvements, particularly with the starting five.
Superstar Jimmy Butler has done a good job leading the Heat in these playoffs. He’s averaging a playoff career-high 27 points and even scored a career-high 56 points in Game 4 against the Milwaukee Bucks.
But he struggled with inconsistency. Granted, he’s averaging 39 minutes and showing signs of fatigue. He is also recovering from a swollen ankle, which he kept playing on. Still, he has to show up.
On Friday, ESPN’s First Take host JJ Redick said Butler is needed in order for the Heat to even the series up.
“It starts with Jimmy Butler,” Redick said. “It absolutely starts with him. He doesn’t have to play perfect. But he’s gotta be aggressive in the same way he was aggressive in Game 7. That wasn’t a perfect game. He took 28 shots, he made 12. But he was assertive, he tried to impose his will. And some of this, look, is Aaron Gordon’s and Michael Porter Jr.’s defense and their length and their size and all that.”
This series is toughest for Butler in terms of scoring. He is defended by Aaron Gordon and Michael Porter Jr., making it hard for him to find shots.
Cory Nelson is a contributor to Inside The Heat. He attended Northern Virginia Community College. He can be reached at corymckenzienelson@hotmail.com or follow him on Twitter @CKenzyNelson. You can also check out his personal blog HERE.
