MIAM — In the end, the methodical approach paid dividends for both Jimmy Butler and the Miami Heat.
After attempting to rush back from his tailbone bruise after four games, only to miss eight more, Butler said he felt rehabilitated and ready in Sunday’s victory over the Orlando Magic at FTX Arena.
The return aligned with the Heat losing Kyle Lowry to health protocols, allowing the Heat to shift back in a more disciplined approach on offense.
“Our offensive game can get very settled and organized and coherent when Jimmy’s in the game, when you need it to be,” coach Erik Spoelstra said, with the Heat shifting their attention to Tuesday night’s visit by the Washington Wizards. “If you want to run fourth-quarter, halfcourt offense at any time during the game in key moments, you can do that with Jimmy. You can throw him the ball, and he’s going to make the right decisions.
“And it’s just great to have that kind of threat again, to be able to put pressure on the rim, which we’ve able to do, but then also able to get to the free-throw line, which he does as well as anybody in this league.”
Butler closed 7 of 9 from the foul line in his 17-point outing in his return, after missing 12 of the previous 13 games.
He said that he felt that this time had got he rehab right, which is essential for a team still without Bam Adebayo for at least two more weeks following thumb surgery, and with the uncertainty regarding Lowry’s time in protocols.
“My guys were telling me to take it slow, get back right. I did that,” Butler said of his training staff. “Timing and all of that stuff comes with more and more reps. Get in the gym, stay on top of making sure your body is right. Try to help us win a couple of games here.”
Butler said it was heartening to see teammates keep the Heat afloat before he could return.
“It’s hard to do,” he said. “But we’ve got some hoopers, guys that just compete at a very high level, and are not scared of anybody on any given night. It’s been fun to watch guys gain confidence, get more and more comfortable.
“But I’m not going to lie, if I was to say I didn’t miss the game and being out there competing. So I’m glad to be back.”
Testy times
The Heat continue to have several positive COVID tests in the organization beyond the playing roster.
During Sunday’s victory, that meant former video coordinator and G League coach Eric Glass taking a seat on the front of the bench, with assistant coaches Chris Quinn and Caron Butler away from the team.
“Our bench and our coaching staff, I view it very similar to our team, our players and the locker room. We have an extremely deep and experienced staff that I’ve worked with for a long period of time,” Spoelstra said. “So not having Quinny there, but EG was able to step up. I’ve always viewed EG as a guy that can handle those kind of responsibilities. He does it behind the scenes for us. And you can ask anybody in that locker room, players and staff alike, he can step into a bigger role, just like that. He’s the one guy on our staff that has legit head-coaching experience.”
