Heat Today: Is Jimmy Butler worried about Knicks’ Josh Hart stopping him?

The Dwyane Wade statue jokes have cooled down, but the Miami Heat (2-1) are looking to remain hot as their division rival New York Knicks (1-2) bring their talents near South Beach. The game tips off at 7:30 p.m. ET. Miami has two straight wins since losing its opener against the Orlando Magic (3-1).

The Heat started the week by honoring Wade, the most accomplished player in franchise history, but business remains at hand as Miami seeks its third straight win over New York. The latter has lost eight of its past 10 visits to South Florida and opened the season with a 23-point road loss in Boston.

Around the team

Jimmy Butler has averaged 24.5 points in the last two after totaling three points in Miami’s opening matchup. The six-time All-Star maintains a reputation for turning up his motor at a moment’s notice and doesn’t do much in the way of being intimidated by any opponent or moment. Butler’s 56-point postseason masterpiece against the Milwaukee Bucks last year? He made no secret that Jrue Holiday strikes no fear in him. That shouldn’t surprise anyone who saw Butler go toe-to-toe against LeBron in the 2020 NBA Finals, during which Butler became only the third player in league history to record a 40-point triple-double in the championship series, joining James (2015) and Jerry West (1969).

So … it could be safe to say Butler doesn’t scare easily, right? It’s always good to test a theory, though, which appeared to be at play when he was asked about the idea of being stopped by Knicks forward Josh Hart. Butler doesn’t seem too worried about the matchup.

In honor of the Knicks coming to Miami tomorrow

It’s the first matchup since Jimmy laughed at the idea of Josh Hart stopping him

“Tf does that mean to me? Josh Hart?” 😭 pic.twitter.com/y7Xv1yyrOB

— Emo Jimmy (@HeatCulture13) October 29, 2024

In fairness to Butler, there is validity to his candor. Last season, per NBA.com, he enjoyed his share of success against Hart, who allowed Butler to shoot 50 percent overall (9 of 18) and recorded more fouls drawn (four) than turnovers committed (three) across three matchups. But Hart did hold Butler to 27.3 percent shooting in 2022-23, so he’s proven capable of holding his own … but few players are harder to contain than a focused Jimmy Butler, whose deferential approach early on has him leading Miami with 12 potential assists per game. If Butler won’t cook Hart in isolation tonight, he will at least ensure his teammates are getting good looks.

Let’s preview the rest of Miami’s next matchup as it eyes to move two games over .500.

• Last Heat game: Heat 106, Pistons 98

• Upcoming opponent, head-to-head in last 10: New York (Knicks 6-4 in last 10 meetings)

• Last meeting: Heat 109, Knicks 99 on April 2, 2024

• Key Heat injuries: None (Kevin Love out due to personal reasons)
  
• Key Knicks injuries: Precious Achiuwa (left hamstring; strained), Mitchell Robinson (left ankle; surgery)

Midweek hoops on deck 🏀 pic.twitter.com/ODkwzykEUm

— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) October 30, 2024

Two Heat players to watch 

• Terry Rozier III: The last time these teams met, Rozier led all scorers with 34 points and eight 3-pointers while adding five rebounds and three assists. For Miami’s offense to have success against New York’s 29th-ranked defensive unit, Rozier must be aggressive. His 19.3 points through three games lead the team so far. Scary Terry is shooting 70 percent on catch-and-shoot 3-pointers.
• Bam Adebayo: While Rozier has been enjoying a hot start to the season, Adebayo is still seeking his rhythm. His 33 points are his lowest through three games since beginning the 2018-19 season (25). Neither his talent nor motor is ever the concern, especially given his usage so far. He’s third among all Heat players in total passes (114) but has created only 16 assist opportunities while averaging 11 points. Wednesday night could be a good time for Adebayo to be aggressive about his offense as he faces Karl-Anthony Towns, against whom he shot 56.3 percent in the previous five seasons, per NBA.com.
  

Two Knicks players to watch 

• Jalen Brunson: Anything regarding the Knicks winning begins and ends with Brunson. The All-Star guard’s numbers are slightly down from his first two seasons in New York, but the season remains young. Though Brunson is averaging 23 points through three games, Miami has forced him into 10 total turnovers in his last two visits, which have resulted in two Knicks losses. While Rozier enjoyed his aforementioned success against New York last season, it didn’t come without Brunson returning the favor. The latter shot 52.6 percent when guarded by Rozier last season.
• Karl-Anthony Towns: Through three games as a Knick, Towns’ offense remains efficient (career-high 66.5 true shooting percentage) but remains in need of volume (15.3, ranking fourth on team). As a team, New York enters Wednesday with the NBA’s fourth-best offense but ranks 29th in defense. That feels … unideal? Yeah, let’s go with that. To avoid a 1-3 start, the Knicks will need Towns to get active against Miami’s defense. While Minnesota won its last five matchups against Miami with Towns on the team, Towns scored 20 points in only one of those matchups … and fouled out of that game (Nov. 21, 2022).
  

Why Miami can win

The last time these teams played, Rozier provided the hot hand as Butler and Adebayo combined for 32 points. Haywood Highsmith (14 points off the bench) was the only other Heat player to reach double-figure scoring. The Knicks have remade their roster since then, so it will be interesting to see what help Brunson can trust in this outing. Miami has enjoyed great ball movement to the season and could give New York’s defense trouble. According to NBA.com, the Heat enter the game ranked first among all teams in assist rate (73.6 percent).

Reason for concern

Remember that season-opening loss from a week ago? It came against the aforementioned Magic, who currently have the NBA’s seventh-ranked offense and have since enjoyed Paolo Banchero’s first career 50-point game. New York sits ninth in 3-point percentage. The Heat will always sport one of the NBA’s most elite defensive units, but beating the Knicks will likely require going bucket for bucket until the buzzer. Miami is averaging 111.8 points in its last five wins over New York.

( Top photo: Carmen Mandato / Getty Images )