Butler was off to a slow start as he made only 1 of 7 shots before hitting his final five shots of the first half to lead the turnaround. Butler had 10 rebounds, and four assists.
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The Miami Heat rode on Jimmy Butler’s 36 points to trounce the Atlanta Hawks 110-86 on Sunday to take a 3-1 series lead in their playoff series.
Butler was off to a slow start as he made only 1 of 7 shots before hitting his final five shots of the first half to lead the turnaround. Butler had 10 rebounds, four assists and one block.
The Heat held the Hawks to a season scoring low in the second half as they themselves outscored their opposition 30-15.
Trae Young scored only nine points with five assists and five turnovers as he was shut down by Miami’s defense for the second time in four games. Young was held to eight points in Miami’s 115-91 Game 1 win. De’Andre Hunter top scored for the Hawks with 24 points.
Despite not having star point guard Kyle Lowry, Miami ended Atlanta’s six-game home winning streak. Gabe Vincent had 11 points while sinking three 3-pointers in his fill-in start for Lowry, who strained his hamstring on Friday. The Hawks led 37-29 before Miami took control with a 15-0 run in the second period.
Read more: Jimmy Butler can take the Miami Heat to the NBA Finals – Stephen A. Smith
In what turned out to be a very crucial moment, Butler stole from Collins, who fouled as Butler scored and then made the free throw. It was Collins’ third foul. Coach Nate McMillan opted to keep Collins in the game.
The 15-0 run, capped by Vincent’s 3-pointer, left Miami with a 44-37 lead. The Heat were not done, closing the half with an 11-0 run for a 55-41 lead at the break.
Butler drove through at the Hawks’ defence for two late baskets in the half after Collins left the game with four fouls with 1:54 remaining. Collins, who scored 11 points, finished with five fouls. Miami led 98-74 when McMillan pulled out Young and his other starters.
The Heat can wrap up the first-round series in Game 5 on Tuesday night in Miami.
