Is The Celtics' Derrick White The New Jimmy Butler Stopper?
There was reason Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler had trouble offensively against the Boston Celtics in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference finals.
And it was because of a player the Celtics say he is a part of their defensive identity. Guard Derrick White was the first player to put the clamps on Butler during this postseason.
Butler finished with a playoff-low 14 points in Thursday's Game 5 loss.
"We've got to do whatever it takes to get a win and [defense is] a big side of the ball," White said.
It was only the third time Butler failed to reach 20 points this postseason, where he is averaging 28.8 points.
"He just plays with a defensive versatility," Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla said. "He does a great job paying attention to detail on personnel tendencies."
Butler shot just 5 of 10 from the field and was a non-factor in the blowout loss. The hope is White can neutralize Butler enough to help force a Game 7 in Boston.
"D-White was second-team All-Defense this year for a reason," Celtics All-Star Jayson Tatum said. "He's a big part of our team, our identity."
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Shandel Richardson covers the Miami Heat for Inside The Heat.
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