Miami Heat Playoffs: Jimmy Butler Out Of Game 5, But They Can Still Win

The Miami Heat head into a crucial Game 5 matchup against the Atlanta Hawks in their first round NBA Playoff series. The game isn’t “crucial” for any particular reason, other than the fact that the Miami Heat have the opportunity to close the series out in their own building.

However, things have become even trickier for this Miami Heat bunch with some late breaking news. Just three hours or so before the game was set to tip, this broke.

Are you shocked? It’s shock worthy.

Yes, the Miami Heat’s leader, their best player, the best player in the series, and the guy averaging  30.5 points, 7.8 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 2.8 steals, a half-block per game across the four games played thus far, Jimmy Butler, won’t go for the Miami Heat.

With Kyle Lowry already out due to the hamstring issue from Game 3, that makes things a bit more interesting. Here’s the most interesting part of it all though.

The Miami Heat can, most certainly, still win this Game 5 elimination bout.

Miami Heat Playoffs: Jimmy Butler Out Of Game 5, But They Can Still Win

With, both, Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo beginning to do more as this series has progressed, this situation is ripe for them to finally make their presences fully known in these here playoffs.

Tyler has been getting some shots to go in the last couple of games, but he has yet to have a game that resembles what his peak regular season self looked like. He has another level he can get to and you know it, the guy was a top-25 scorer in this league during the regular year, you know?

Bam has been more aggressive, as far as getting to his spots and attacking his strengths, while this opportunity should present those moments to do more of that and to the highest level. This is the game where he should look to be the best he’s been all series.

The Miami Heat need it. It’s really that simple.

There’s also another huge X-Factor out there to consider for the Miami Heat. You’ve already thought about it, go on, admit it.

Here’s a hint.

Miami Heat Playoffs: Everyone, Players And Coaches, Just Have To Step Up A Bit

Let’s also not forget about the guy that saw his first taste of NBA Playoff action for the Miami Heat in Game 4. Victor Oladipo showed you what he’s capable of in the final regular season game of the year, his near 40-point triple double.

If you add all that up with what you can get from P.J. Tucker, Duncan Robinson, Caleb Martin, Gabe Vincent, Dewayne Dedmon, and the rest of the bunch, the Miami Heat have just enough to get one from this Atlanta Hawks team on the verge of exodus. You also can’t forget who is coaching this squad along the sidelines either.

That would be Coach Spo, “top-15” around these parts.

Don’t get things twisted and just like Kyle Lowry, you would much rather have Jimmy Butler than not, however and also just like Lowry, if this is maintenance for future productivity and needed for the long haul, you have to live with it.

You don’t ever want to see this in the postseason, but this is the scenario that it least bothers you. Up 3-1 on a team that shouldn’t be able to beat you and with the game in your own building, nonetheless, that is the time to do it and if they weren’t in that position, Jimmy would, likely, fight through it.

But, in this case where they don’t have him in Game 5, the Miami Heat can still win it. It’s definitely still a good bet!