Miami Heat's Jimmy Butler Says "Playoff Jimmy" Is Fictional

Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler felt the need to interrupt the question.

When a reporter referred to Butler as "Playoff Jimmy," he quickly shot down the nickname.

"That's not a real thing," Butler said.

Butler is averaging 29 points in the last three games while taking a combined 44 shots. He is shooting 63 percent, causing some to think he is gearing up for another spectacular postseason.

Last year he averaged 27.4 points, 7.4 rebounds and 4.6 assists in 17 games in the playoffs, leading the Heat to within one victory of the NBA Finals.

Butler said he is just simply his stride. No "Playoff Jimmy" at all.

"I'm in a groove," Butler said. "I feel great. I'm working on my game."

"Playoff Jimmy" or not, the Heat need every bit of Butler to complete this postseason run and avoid playing in the play-in tournament. They are 2.5 games behind the Brooklyn Nets for the No. 6 seed.

"Players coming in should study Jimmy Butler," Heat coach Spoelstra said. "You don't need to be a volume shooter. You don't need to have the ball in your hands all the time to be able to impose your will offensively. He just is a really smart basketball player and he knows how to win games, particularly when games are competitive and close."

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