The Miami Heat are missing Jimmy Butler in the playoffs because of an injury, but that is apparently not a reason for him not to make an impact on his team.
After the Heat demolished the Boston Celtics Wednesday night at the TD Garden for a 111-10 win in Game 2 of this first-round series, Miami star Tyler Herro revealed that Butler sent him a text message before the series challenging the former Kentucky Wildcats star to show his teammates the way.
“Before the series, JB [Jimmy Butler] texted me to take the team and lead these guys. Just make every right play. It’s not all about scoring. In the playoffs, you got to make the right play. My guys showed up tonight, Herro said during the postgame interview on the court. “Everybody came to play. We lost bad in Game 1 and everyone responded.”
Tyler Herro, Miami Heat Hit Back Hard at Boston in Game 2
Indeed, Herro answered the call and put up a memorable performance to help the Heat take down the mighty Celtics in Game 2, 111-101. Herro scattered a team-high 24 points. He made six of 11 attempts from downtown and did not forget about involving his teammates as well. Herro recorded 14 assists along with five rebounds and a steal. He did not have to do it all by himself, as Caleb Martin and Bam Adebayo scored 21 points apiece, while Nikola Jovic pounded out 11 points, nine rebounds, and six assists.
The Celtics remain a formidable squad, but the Heat proved to themselves and everyone that this series is not going to be as easy as Boston and its fans might thought it would be before Game 1.
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