Heat Take Down Knicks 127-120, Butler Scores 35

Jimmy Butler checked back onto the court, midway through the fourth quarter, while the Miami Heat were clinging to a one-point lead.

Just under three minutes after Butler stepped onto the court, the Heat’s lead would grow to 12 and they were on their way to a much needed Eastern Conference win.

Butler recorded 35 points and nine assists, Tyler Herro would dish 14 of his 22 points and convert four 3-pointers in a crucial final quarter, leading the way to the Heat inching closer to escaping play-in tournament range after taking down the New York Knicks, 127-120 on Wednesday night.

“Fourth quarter is winning time,” Tyler Herro said. “That’s when my scoring is needed most.”

Miami (40-34), is now just only percentage points away from surpassing the Brooklyn Nets (39-33) in the race for the sixth and final guaranteed playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. The Heat will host the Nets on Saturday evening.

“Must-win,” Herro said.

The victory Wednesday night was the 700th career win for Miami Heat head coach, Erik Spoelstra. Spoelstra is now the fourth coach in NBA history to win at least 700 games with one team. Gregg Popovich entered Wednesday night with 1,363 wins with San Antonio, Jerry Sloan had 1,127 with the Utah Jazz and Red Auerbach had 795 with the Boston Celtics.

New York’s Julius Randle was coming off of a 57-point performance Monday night against the Minnesota Timberwolves. That would not become a repeat performance against the Heat, as their stifling defense would hold him to just 15 points on the night.

Fun Fact: Jimmy Butler played in his 59th game of the 2022-2023 NBA season. That is the most games he has logged in for during his four seasons with the Miami Heat; Butler played in 58 out of 73 games during the shortened 2019-2020 NBA season.