Jimmy Butler will play Thursday night against the Dallas Mavericks. The Miami Heat star is once again missing from the team’s injury report. It’s a welcome sight for the Heat lately as they strive for a top-six finish. Butler missed 19 games this season, citing various ailments.
In 42 games, Butler averaged 21.9 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.8 assists. The Heat are 35-26 this season and 5-1 since the All-Star break. With Butler healthy, their chances of continuing this momentum look great heading into the latter part of the season.
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What happened to Jimmy Butler?
Jimmy Butler suffered knee, ankle, calf and foot injuries this season, contributing to his 19-game absence. Four of them cited personal reasons as he dealt with the death of a family member. Butler’s calf and foot injuries took up the most time of his season between December 20 and January 14. He missed 11 games during that stretch. Miami is 12-7 in Butler’s absence.
Jimmy Butler Stats vs. Dallas Mavericks
Jimmy Butler played 20 games against the Dallas Mavericks, averaging 18.1 ppg, 6.1 rpg and 5.4 apg. He is 10-10 against the Western Conference team. Butler and the Heat will face Luka Doncic and Co. for the first time this season. In their last game on April 1, Butler had 34 points and 12 assists in a 129-122 victory.
Butler will once again be the key for the Heat. The Mavericks are on a three-game slide and have lost five of their last six, making them even more dangerous when they come out. Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving are tough coverages, and Butler may need to guard one of the two.
Both are difficult to contain, but Butler has the defensive skills to take on the NBA’s best perimeter players.
How to watch Dallas Mavericks vs. Miami Heat?
Local television operators Bally Sports Southwest (Dallas) and Bally Sports Sun will cover the Dallas Mavericks.Miami heat competition. TNT will cover the game nationally. Fans abroad can watch the action live via NBA League Pass online. Tipoff takes place at 7:30 p.m. ET at the Kaseya Center, the Heat’s home court.
The Heat enter this game as the favorite behind their 11-3 record since February. Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo, Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving will headline this match. The Heat are 35-26, sixth in the East, while the Mavericks are 34-28, eighth in the West.
