The Miami Heat defeated the Golden State Warriors 112-86 in a game that marked the return of Jimmy Butler to Miami.
On a night that included a pregame tribute video, Butler finished with 11 points against his former teammates. The Warriors` offense struggled without Stephen Curry, who sat out due to injury.
Butler was traded from Miami earlier this year. Despite Tuesday`s loss, the Warriors have performed well since Butler`s arrival and remain in playoff contention. Butler has been playing well with his new team, developing chemistry with Curry and Draymond Green.
In a season marked by Butler`s situation with Heat management, the Heat have now won two in a row after a losing streak. The team is likely to reach the postseason as an Eastern Conference play-in team.
Here’s a look at the key takeaways from Tuesday’s game.
The Warriors need Stephen Curry back soon. His injury has halted the team`s momentum since acquiring Butler. Before Curry`s injury, the Warriors were performing exceptionally well.
Without Curry, the Warriors have lost two games against weaker Eastern Conference opponents and face a challenging road trip. Curry`s absence could complicate their playoff path.
Every game is crucial for playoff seeding. The Warriors` loss in Miami impacts their chances of securing a better playoff spot, and they are close to being in the play-in tournament again. Their previous play-in experiences were unsuccessful. — Zach Kram
Despite Win Over Butler, Uncertainty for Miami
Tuesday`s win is a rare highlight in a difficult month for the Heat. Beating the Warriors without Curry has limited significance. The Heat`s struggles this month highlight issues within the Eastern Conference.
The Heat`s personnel decisions have been questionable recently. A past trade and a contract extension haven`t yielded desired results.
Butler recently indicated that the Heat may have misjudged his situation regarding a contract extension, suggesting a possible miscommunication in team management. — Brian Windhorst
