Jimmy Butler has missed two games in a row with an illness and the Heat have listed him as doubtful for Thursday’s matchup with the Magic due to return to competition reconditioning. Butler has been a hot name in trade rumors and ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Wednesday that Butler prefers to be traded before the NBA trade deadline on Feb. 6th.
Butler will likely continue to miss many games until he is dealt and with the wing sidelined Thursday, expect Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro to lead the way for Miami.
With Butler off the floor this season, Adebayo and Herro’s usage rates rise 2.3 and 1.9 percentage points, respectively. On a per 36-minute basis, Herro is averaging 25.3 points and Adebayo is averaging 18.7 points with Butler off the court. Both Duncan Robinson and Jaime Jaquez Jr. should also see expanded roles in Butler’s absence, especially with Dru Smith (Achilles) recently being ruled out for the season.
All that being said, the Heat face a tough matchup Thursday vs. a Magic defense that ranks third in efficiency this season, limiting Miami players’ upside.
With Butler inactive this season, the Heat are 3-4.
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