Jimmy Butler embraced Miami as soon as he arrived in the offseason, and the Heat has embraced their new leader.
With a chance to take a commanding 3-0 lead, the Heat’s Udonis Haslem called on Butler to carry the team to another win over the Milwaukee Bucks.
“He literally came to me and said, ‘Do not let us lose this game. Win it,'” Butler said of Haslem’s message.
“And he came to me at about eight minutes in the third quarter. It was like: ‘Hit the switch. Turn it on.’ And for him to be in my corner like that — he’s played with some greats, let’s not get that wrong. But for him to have that confidence in me, it goes a long way.”
Butler, who has never lacked confidence, knew a Heat win would be a huge blow to Milwaukee.
Miami couldn’t let the Bucks creep back into this series and carry momentum into Game 4.
The Heat are now poised to finish this series and get some much-needed rest before the Eastern Conference Finals.
The bubble has been mentally and physically exhausting on teams.
Players can now see some family members after being isolated for over two months.
A break could help the Heat recharge for the Eastern Conference Finals.
Haslem has been a member of the Heat his whole career, but this could be his final season.
The 40-year-old, who was drafted in 2002, has been an integral voice inside the locker room for decades and maybe eyeing a coaching job in the near future.
For now, the Heat look to finish off the Bucks in Game 4 Sunday.