Jimmy Butler’s Heat Outlast Donovan Mitchell’s Cavs

Jimmy Butler, Miami Heat, NBA Trade Rumors
NBA Analysis Network

The Miami Heat defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 100-97 during the NBA’s Tuesday night slate, behind 23 points from Jimmy Butler and 18 points and 11 rebounds from Bam Adebayo.

For the Heat, who moved within one and a half games of the Cavaliers in fifth place in the East Conference standings, Caleb Martin had 18 points and 10 rebounds, and Tyler Herro added 18. After 45 competitive minutes, the Heat made key plays when it mattered most.

“When it gets to the last three of four minutes, because of the experiences we’ve had, guys feel comfortable enough to execute under that kind of pressure,” Miami coach Erik Spoelstra said.

With 1:23 left, Butler hit a short jumper to put the Heat up 98-93, and his free throws – following an offensive rebound by Adebayo – kept the Heat ahead by five.

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With 8.7 seconds left, Darius Garland’s 3-pointer brought the Cavs within 99-97, and Butler split his free throws with 7.3 seconds left. A contested 3-pointer by All-Star starter Donovan Mitchell at the buzzer fell short.

“They know who to key in on at that point,” Bickerstaff said. “But I thought (Mitchell) did a great job of creating separation and getting a shot off. I thought we got as good a look as we can at that point.”

Butler was most pleased by Miami’s defense in the closing minutes.

“We still had lapses, but I’m glad those lapses did not cost us the game,” he said. “We got stops down the stretch when we needed to.”

The Cavaliers, who fell to 21-6 at home, got 19 points from Evan Mobley, 16 from Mitchell, and 14 from Jarrett Allen. Garland and Mitchell combined for only four three-pointers out of 19 attempts.

NBA SCORES & NEWS: Jimmy Butler, Miami Heat, Donovan Mitchell & Cleveland Cavaliers Updates

The Cavaliers, who are the NBA’s best defensive team, came out looking to frustrate the Heat’s offense. In the first five minutes, Miami went 2 of 10 from the floor and had five turnovers, but Butler scored 11 points and helped his teammates settle in.

“We were disjointed at the beginning of the game, and I think Jimmy sensed that and went to work,” Spoelstra said.

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