Jimmy Butler’s simple fourth-quarter plan showed why the Heat should be favored in the East

For an eighth seed, the Miami Heat have more than surpassed expectations during the Eastern Conference playoffs. And to start their Conference Finals battle with the heavyweight Boston Celtics, they took both games on the road for a 2-0 series lead.

There are a lot of ways that could describe the Heat’s continued (and surprising) success. They’re well-coached, disciplined, play together, and everyone knows their role. But the biggest might be that they know how and when to lean on Jimmy Butler as a closer and that their star player isn’t afraid of such a massive responsibility.

Butler is averaging 8.7 points and 50 percent shooting from the field in the fourth quarter this postseason. He’s also drawing almost two fouls and has a sterling plus and minus of 4.2 in the final stanza. The latter isn’t necessarily the most telling statistic of Butler’s fourth-quarter effectiveness. Still, it helps paint the overall picture of someone who usually keeps the Heat above water (at a minimum) in the clutch.

As the forward maintained after the Heat took a 2-0 series lead on the Celtics Friday night, a simple late-game strategy drives his and Miami’s ongoing success.

Get him the ball and get out of the way.

"We gon' ride with one another until the wheels fall of."

Jimmy Butler discusses his teammates helping him succeed following the Game 2 win to secure a 2-0 series lead #NBAConferenceFinals presented by @GooglePixel_US pic.twitter.com/qDVzrsjFNt

— NBA (@NBA) May 20, 2023

It sounds simple in theory, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy for everyone to execute. This time of year, you obviously need your stars to show up and make a difference. The Celtics are in a big hole partly because their main duo — Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown — tend to disappear in the fourth quarter. By contrast, Butler is a late-game killer who relishes the pressure and carrying his teammates.

Butler’s closing mentality and the Heat’s simple plan with him are why they’re two games away from their second NBA Finals appearance in four years. And it’s why they should be favored to finish the job with Boston. That’s where oddsmakers currently have them positioned — a healthy -170 to win the East despite being an eighth seed.

I won’t completely count out the Celtics from completing the comeback and making a second-straight Finals appearance themselves. They’re too talented to go out this quietly. But Butler’s Heat look so confident right now. They resemble a team of destiny of sorts. One way or another, I would be betting on Butler eventually driving a clutch dagger into the Celtics’ heart so Miami can play again in June.