- Butler wanted to see more praise for Miami after winning road game
- Heat don’t expect more praise after Saturday’s performance
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Jimmy Butler hasn’t played in the Miami Heat’s first-round playoff series against the top-seeded Celtics, but he’s tired of seeing all the praise heaped on Boston.
During an on-court interview with Butler, who is sidelined with no timetable for returning from a sprained MCL, he expressed frustration with the coverage the Celtics have received heading into Game 3 on Saturday.
It’s taking a toll on Butler that he couldn’t be on the court to join his teammates, as the Celtics are a popular pick to not only win the Eastern Conference, but also an NBA title.
The series was tied heading into Game 3, but the Celtics dominated the Heat after Butler’s comments.
Butler suffered the injury on April 17 against the 76ers. He also did not play in the Heat’s Play-In tournament victory over the Bulls.
The Boston Celtics dominated the Miami Heat on Saturday night during Game 3 in Florida.
Butler expressed frustration with the Miami Heat’s coverage after the Game 2 victory.
“I think we believe it, but everyone else doesn’t believe it,” Butler said. “If I have to hear one more praise about Boston on national television when we win a game, I’m tired of hearing that, man.” It’s 1-1 and we’re going up 2-1.
Miami versus Boston is a rematch of last year’s postseason, where Butler was fantastic in winning the Eastern Conference Finals clash.
The Heat are once again the eighth seed in the East this season and will have to dig themselves out of a 2-1 hole against the Celtics, unlike last year.
MCL injuries typically take weeks to recover from, and Butler will likely need Miami to get past Boston to have a chance to play again this season.
Butler has been with the Heat since 2019 and has yet to win an NBA championship in his career.