Heat’s Jimmy Butler reacts to spat, ‘Things happen . . . and we move on from it’
For the first time since erupting in a courtside argument with coach Erik Spoelstra and team captain Udonis Haslem, Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler addressed last week’s spat amid the team’s humiliating loss to the shorthanded Golden State Warriors.
In the wake of Monday night’s victory over the Sacramento Kings at FTX Arena that snapped a four-game losing streak, Butler was asked about the impact of moment that came to dominate social media.
“I think we got comfortable a little bit expecting that we’re going to win night in and night out,” Butler explained of what had been simmering tensions. “Everything’s not going to be all good. Everything’s not going to be all bad. We understand that.
“I just think at the end of the day, we’ve got to be in it together, which we are. And we’re going to continue to be that way — win, loss.”
By the ensuing game, a loss to the New York Knicks, it was clear all involved had moved on, with Haslem and Butler back to their typical exaggerated pregame handshake.
“Things happen,” Butler said, with the Heat now on the road for their next three, starting Wednesday night against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden. “We understand that, as well. And we move on from it, like we have. And we got one, so let’s get back to a stack of wins.”
Guard Duncan Robinson said the incident and the adversity got the team’s attention.
“It felt like it was a big thing, because it was and it is,” he said. “We got to figure it out, especially this time of year. I mean, the sense of urgency was high. Guys want to win.
“It was a big thing, for sure. But at the same time, just learn from it and move forward.”
Quick change
The NBA announced Tuesday that the play-in tournament will run through April 15, one day before the start of the playoffs.
The schedule means that the top seed in each conference might not learn their first-round opponent until less than 48 hours before the start of their opening best-of-seven series.
In the play-in, No. 7 and No. 8 meet to determine the seventh seed, with the loser of that game hosting the winner of the No. 9-No. 10 game for the eighth seed.
The Nos. 3-6 and Nos. 4-5 matchups in each conference will be decided by the April 10 close of the regular season.
Injury report
Caleb Martin (right calf contusion), Gabe Vincent (toe contusion) and Robinson (non-COVID Illness) are listed as questionable for Wednesday, with two-way players Mychal Mulder and Javonte Smart remaining on G League assignment. No other players are on the Heat injury report.
Butler on a roll
With his 28 points and seven assists Monday, it marked the eighth time this season Butler has led the Heat in both categories . . .
Butler’s 3 of 5 on 3-pointers Monday marked only the fourth time in his three Heat seasons he has converted at least three in a game. His Heat high is six against the Celtics on Dec. 4, 2019 . . .
With his 10-of-16 shooting Monday, Heat center Bam Adebayo tied the longest streak of his career with his 11th consecutive games shooting 50 percent or better from the field. He is shooting .632 (84 of 133) over that span . . .
With his three 3-pointers Monday, Kyle Lowry has now made three or more in six consecutive games, at .511 from beyond the arc during that span, on 47 attempts . . .
Hoping to break away from the pack during a home-intensive month, the Heat instead closed their run of 11 games in March at FTX Arena at 6-5. The 11 home games tied for the most in a month in the franchise’s 34 seasons.
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