Miami Heat Star Jimmy Out Versus Boston Celtics, Granted Leave Of Absence
Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler will not play today against the Boston Celtics because of personal reasons.
His agent, Bernie Lee, released a statement saying Butler is out indefinitely.
"Jimmy Butler has been granted a leave of absence as he deals with the death of a family member," the statement read. "Jimmy and his family ask for privacy at this point in time as they navigate this loss. Updates will be given when appropriate."
Here's the game preview:
Game time: 7:30 pm., ET
Where: Kaseya Center, Miami
TV: Bally Sports Sun
Betting line: Heat +8
VITALS: The Heat and Celtics meet for the third and final matchup this regular season. Last season, the teams split the series, 2-2. The Heat are 53-82 all-time versus Boston during the regular season, including 30-39 in home games and 23-43 in road games. Miami has started 27 different lineups in their 52 games this season, with 16 different players registering at least one start.
PROJECTED STARTERS
HEAT
G Terry Rozier
G Tyler Herro
C Bam Adebayo
F Caleb Martin
F Duncan Robinson
SPURS
F Jayson Tatum
F Jaylen Brown
C Kristaps Porzingis
G Jrue Holiday
G Derrick White
INJUY REPORT
HEAT
Dru Smith: Out - Right Knee Surgery
Haywood Highsmith: Questionable - Personal reasons
Jimmy Butler: Out - Personal reasons
CELTICS
Xavier Tillman: Out - Knee
Jaden Springer: Questionable - Ankle
QUOTABLE
Heat coach Erik Spoelstra on the developing chemistry between Tyler Herro and Terry Rozier: "I think you're going to see Tyler and Terry build an even better connection with more minutes, games, shootarounds, film sessions and a few practices that we'll have the opportunity to partake in. But you see the speed, quickness and skill that they each have."
Miami Heat's Jimmy Butler misses Sunday's practice with an excused absence
Shandel Richardson covers the Miami Heat for Inside The Heat, a Fan Nation channel for Sports Illustrated. He has covered the NBA since 2010.
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