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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 Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

Jimmy Butler’s relentless attack of the rim for the Miami Heat

Butler has continued to attack the basket during the NBA playoffs as he is driving to the rim 16 times per game, allowing him to get 6.0 field goal attempts in the restricted area. The 6.0 field goal attempts accounted for 40.8 percent of his shots in the playoffs.

Unfortunately, Butler hasn’t maintained the same level of production during the postseason. He shot 44 percent in the restricted area before the shoulder strain generating 5.4 points per game, 22.2 percent of his scoring output.

Butler has made up for the decreased production in production by drawing more fouls as he is averaging 8 per game, a 19.4 percent increase from the regular season. The fouls have created more free throws for him as he is averaging 13.3 free throws per game, a 43 percent increase from the regular season.

He has converted 82.5 percent of those attempts allowing him to score 11 points per game. Sadly it is unlikely that he can continue this level of free throw production against the Bucks. Milwaukee did a fantastic job at limiting the number of fouls they committed during the regular season as they fouled their opponents 19.6 times per game, 7th best in the league.

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The low amount of fouls limited opponents to 21.2 free throw attempts per game, seventh-lowest in the league. The Bucks have continued to limit the number of fouls committed in the playoff as they’ve fouled their opponents 19.6 times per game, sixth-best among playoff teams.

Consequently, opponents have only attempted 21.3 free throw attempts per game, fourth-lowest among playoff teams. Therefore, the easiest way for Butler to exploit their defense is via 3-point shooting as Milwaukee’s decision to protect the paint makes it difficult for them to contest the 3-point attempts.

For example, Furkan Korkmaz passed the basketball to Matisse Thybulle, who stood in the right corner. Thybulle took a couple of steps towards the basket but stopped as he realized that Brook Lopez, Wes Matthews, Korver, and İlyasova were all standing below the free throw line, making it impossible for him to get an open shot. Consequently, he passed it to Embiid, who missed a three from the top of the key.

Consequently, the Bucks gave up the most 3-point attempts in the league during the regular season as opponents averaged 39.3 per game. They also gave up the most makes as opponents made 14 threes per game, which allowed them to generate 42 points per game.

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