MIAMI _ Jimmy Butler has favored the support system this season with the Miami Heat.
But as that support fell by the wayside Monday night at AmericanAirlines Arena, he showed that his one-man show can still provide quality theater.
In a game the Heat lost Meyers Leonard and Tyler Herro to injuries, Butler stepped up with his highest-scoring game as a member of the Heat, closing with 38 points in a 137-106 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers.
Attacking early and then stepping back for 3-pointers later, Butler surpassed his previous Heat high of 37 points by the later stages of the third quarter, not needed for more than 29 minutes of action, with the Heat taking a 97-77 lead into the fourth quarter against his former team.
There also was ample support from Butler's fellow Heat All-Star, with Bam Adebayo contributing 18 points, 11 assists and 8 rebounds, as well as 24 points from former Heat All-Star Goran Dragic.
The Heat closed with three turnovers, a franchise-record low. The previous record was four in 2009 against the Orlando Magic. The 137 points were a season high.
The Heat improved to 34-15 overall with the victory, with the loss dropping the 76ers to 9-18 on the road.
With the victory, won the season series 3-1, which could stand as a potential playoff tiebreaker.
Five degrees of Heat from Monday's game:
