Jimmy Butler may not have been able to physically step onto the court for Game 2 of the first-round playoff series against the Boston Celtics, but his presence was felt loud and clear long before tip-off. Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro, who led the team with 24 points in a 111-101 victory that evened the series at one game apiece, revealed after the game that Butler had reached out to him prior to the series with a specific message: “Before the series [Jimmy Butler] texted me to take the team and lead these guys,” Herro said. “Just make every right play. It’s not all about scoring, in the playoffs you have to make the right play.” Herro took Butler’s message to heart, dishing out a game-high 14 assists to go along with his 24 points. He also knocked down six of the Heat’s playoff-record 23 3-pointers. The Heat, as a whole, responded to Butler’s call to action, playing with a renewed sense of purpose and determination after a disappointing Game 1 loss. “Everybody came to play,” Herro said. “We lost bad in Game 1 and everybody responded. That’s all you can ask for from a group of guys.” Butler, who is currently sidelined due to an MCL injury suffered during the play-in tournament, couldn’t resist taking a playful jab at the Celtics on Instagram after the game. He edited his head onto Jaylen Brown’s body in what appeared to be an old ESPN graphic from last season’s playoff series between the two East teams, when Brown warned Miami not to let them get a win after the Heat had taken a 3-0 series lead in the conference finals. The Celtics did make a valiant comeback but ultimately lost in seven games. “Feeling cute, might delete later. Sikeeeeee I ain’t deleting s***,” Butler captioned his post. He also posted a video on his Instagram Story of himself fist-pumping after the win. The series now shifts to Miami for Games 3 and 4 at FTX Arena, where the Heat will look to take a commanding 3-1 lead with Butler expected to remain sidelined.
Jimmy Butler Rallys Heat Before Game 2, Pokes Fun at Celtics on Social Media
