Jimmy Butler Out Versus Bucks
Jimmy Butler was a game-time decision leading up to the Miami Heat’s encounter with the Milwaukee Bucks, and it appears that he will be held out for the second time in six games with a back injury. We’ll find Nemanja Bjelica starting in place of Butler against the Bucks.
https://twitter.com/IraHeatBeat/status/1393710557820342275
Butler has been a big part of the Heat’s success this season, ranking second on the team in usage and first in win shares, per Basketball-Reference. The 21.5 points per game that he’s averaging is Butler’s highest total since the 2017-18 season.
Bjelica has appeared in only nine games for the Heat this season, without a start, and is averaging 10.9 minutes and 2.6 points per game. Bjelica has an inexpensive $6,000 salary on the single-game slate, which is $8,500 lower than Butler’s.
There will be shots up for grabs, which could mean we get a big showing from Duncan Robinson or Tyler Herro, as the Bucks have the 22nd Opponent Rank versus shooting guards. Robinson is in the starting lineup and has a $9,500 salary compared to Herro’s $11,500 salary.
This line shifted in favor of the Bucks on the Butler news, with the Heat moving down to +4 on the spread at FanDuel Sportsbook.