Milwaukee Bucks know they have to play better defense against a “random” Jimmy Butler
Jimmy Buckets #JimmyBuckets
As the Milwaukee Bucks face off against the Miami heat’s Jimmy Butler in their crucial Game 4, they must be ready for anything.
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Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler is a player who doesn’t take and make many three-point shots. In fact, throughout his extensive NBA Playoff career, Butler has averaged just one three-pointer per game in his 100 Playoff games. Yet, there the Marquette product was, going 4-for-4 against the Milwaukee Bucks in a crucial 121-99 Game 3 win that put them up 2-1 in this first-round series.
Such is the randomness that Butler brings to the table in the Playoffs, and it’s why Milwaukee must adjust its approach when defending him. While the Bucks have made some progress in limiting his effectiveness from mid-range jumpers, they still haven’t done enough to keep Butler away from the paint or off of the glass.
Playoff Jimmy is in full effect
So far, Butler is averaging 30 points on 60% shooting in this series, giving credence to his nickname “Jimmy Buckets.” He’s also adding 4.3 rebounds, 6.0 assists, and 2.3 steals per game against a Bucks squad that hasn’t had superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo in the lineup since Game 1.
Bucks guard Jrue Holiday, arguably the league’s best defender, said that although they already know what to expect from Butler, he still manages, from time to time, to pull something out from his bag of tricks; in Game 3’s case, it was his three-point shot.
“I mean, Jimmy is going to be Jimmy,” Holiday said. “He knocked down some threes today. That definitely helped. He hit three in what, the first half, which is a bit uncharacteristic. He usually does a lot of things in the paint or at the free throw line, but knocking down threes like that definitely opens up lane for him to drive and everything.”
Keep working on defense
Butler finished his night with 30 points in just 28 minutes of action. He didn’t play in the fourth quarter owing to both his glute soreness and the lopsided nature of the contest. Bucks wingman Khris Middleton said they just have to keep working on defense to try and contain the production of one of the most potent postseason performers in recent league history.
“Just keep contesting his shots,” Middleton said. “I mean, he was 4 for 4 from three. He shot the ball well, so you have to credit him on that. But I think, for the most part, we did an OK job of just staying into his body, but we just gotta be better.”
“That guy plays so random all over the place with the ball, bringing it from full court, getting the catches, and then just making plays downhill. Just gotta do a better job of trying to keep him out of the paint a little bit more, trying to keep him away from his sweet spots, stuff like that.”