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Miami Heat: Why Jimmy Butler will be a decoy vs the Milwaukee Bucks during the NBA playoffs

By Zamir Bueno

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 18: Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat reacts after dunking against the Indiana Pacers during the second half at AdventHealth Arena at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 18, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ashley Landis-Pool/Getty Images)
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 18: Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat reacts after dunking against the Indiana Pacers during the second half at AdventHealth Arena at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 18, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ashley Landis-Pool/Getty Images) /
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Miami Heat, Jimmy Butler, NBA playoffs
Miami Heat, Jimmy Butler, NBA playoffs (Photo by Kim Klement – Pool/Getty Images) /

Let’s take a look at the Milwaukee Bucks defense and how it will turn Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler into a decoy during the NBA playoffs.

The Miami Heat have been positioned as one of the biggest threats to the Milwaukee Bucks’ championship aspirations. ESPN’s Stephen A Smith stated in March that Jimmy Butler‘s presence would keep the team focused on the task at hand as he won’t hesitate to hold his teammates accountable for their mistakes.

Therefore, Smith believes that Miami has the best chance to dethrone Milwaukee in the second round of the playoffs. But is Butler’s leadership the key to the Miami Heat defeating Milwaukee? No, as the Bucks run a defensive system that encourages all their players to stand below the 3-point line as they want to prevent opposing teams from attacking the basket.

For example, Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid put himself in a position to post up on the right low block against Robin Lopez late in the first quarter of a road game vs. Milwaukee. Embiid’s placement allowed Mike Scott to pass him the basketball. Unfortunately, Ersan İlyasova and Kyle Korver came over to help as soon as he received the ball, leading him to take a fade-away hook shot.

Milwaukee’s system has been the catalyst behind the team leading the league in opposing points in the paint as they held opponents to 38.7 points per game in the regular season. The team has continued to make it difficult for opponents to score in the paint during the playoffs as they held opponents to 29.3 points per game.

The Bucks; system will limit the effectiveness of Jimmy Butler as his success this season has been predicated on getting to the paint. Butler attacked the basket 15.5 times per game during the regular season, which helped him get 5.0 field goal attempts in the restricted area.

The 5.0 field goal attempts accounted for 38.2 percent of his shots during the regular season. Butler capitalized on his ability to get in the restricted area. He shot 63.9 percent in the restricted area, which allowed him to generate 6.4 points per game, 32.2 percent of his scoring output.

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