The Miami Heat continue to adapt around a revolving door of injuries and with a, 119-112, win at home over Washington, they took care of business once again. The Heat would wrap up a four-game homestand before being scheduled to play their next seven games on the road.
It wasn’t before Jimmy Butler could sustain a right ankle injury in the fourth quarter of that game though and after he had checked out of what looked like a sure win. Nearly allowing a Wizards comeback, the Heat were outscored, 39-28, in the final period.
Although Butler’s explosive night wouldn’t be sabotaged, despite Miami letting their foot off the gas and in just his second game since returning from a tailbone injury that kept him sidelined for nearly three weeks, he finished with a near triple-double of 25 points, eight rebounds, and above all else — a career-high 15 assists.
Aside from the Heat losing Kyle Lowry to the league’s Health and Safety Protocols, an increase in playmaking opportunities had arisen for Butler, a very similar tracking for much of last season. Against Washington, he took the initiative to create for others, as both the willingness and passer’s vision of Butler were on full display.