Jimmy Butler Dominates in Miami Heat Win Over New York Knicks

With the playoffs approaching, the Miami Heat are rounding into form at just the right time. Jimmy Butler was sensational in his team's 127-120 win over the New York Knicks on Wednesday night, totalling 35 points, four rebounds, nine assists, and four steals.

Jimmy Butler went OFF in the Miami W 🔥

35 points
4 rebounds
9 assists
4 steals

Heat have won 7 of their last 10 pic.twitter.com/agnqKwaXTX
— NBA (@NBA) March 23, 2023

Butler hit 11 of his 19 field goal attempts and forced his way to the free throw line 14 times, hitting 11. It was his ninth 30+ point game of the season; he tied his most points in a win all season. Despite missing out on an All-Star designation, Butler is in the middle of his best season since coming to Miami: his 59 appearances are already his most ever while playing for the Heat, his 22.9 points per game are his most since his 2016-17 season with the Chicago Bulls, and his .641 true shooting percentage is a career-high.

The Heat are 40-34 and seventh in the Eastern Conference, but they've won seven of their last 10 and are clearly on the rise. If they continue their hot streak and climb their way out of the play-in tournament, they'll be pesky in the playoffs. They took the Boston Celtics to seven games in the Eastern Conference Finals last year and made the Finals following the 2020-21 season. They'll be an unwelcome sight for any team in the postseason.

The Heat host the Brooklyn Nets on Saturday night.