Miami Heat: Kyle Lowry is the catalyst behind Jimmy Butler’s hot start

Jimmy Butler is off to the best start of his Miami Heat tenure. He is shooting 51.3 percent from the field on 16.1 shots per game. This field goal percentage has allowed him to average 25 points over his first seven games of the 2021-22 season.

Butler’s scoring output is at least 31.6 percent better than the first seven games of the last two seasons with the team, as he averaged 19.4 and 17.9 points, respectively. Butler’s statistical improvement is due to the presence of point guard Kyle Lowry.

Before Lowry arrived in Miami, Butler played a slower style of basketball, spending at least 30 percent of possessions in the pick and roll, averaging 6.7 per game. This style of play gave opposing defenses time to get in the right position to stop him. Therefore, it was significantly harder for Butler to get a clean look within the restricted area.

For instance, Butler had the ball in the left corner midway through the first quarter of a road game against the Thunder. He held the ball until Precious Achiuwa came over to set the screen.

Once Achiuwa came to set the screen, Butler went over it, intending to attack the basket. Unfortunately, Butler didn’t finish his drive as two Thunder players were between him and the basket. Consequently, he passed the basketball to Max Strus in the right corner for a three.

(Skip ahead to 1:39 to view the play.)

Butler was constantly forced to pass the ball as multiple defenders were always drawn to him in the paint. This contributed to him only attempting 5.5 shots per game in the restricted area throughout his first two seasons with the Heat. However, the arrival of Kyle Lowry has helped Butler get more open looks in the restricted area.

How Miami Heat point guard Kyle Lowry has been the catalyst behind Jimmy Butler’s hot start

Butler revealed on October 18th that Lowry has a habit of always pushing the ball up the floor, which made him play faster in practice. Lowry’s playstyle is having a positive impact on Butler, allowing him to get more shots near the basket.

For instance, in this clip, Bam Adebayo grabbed a rebound midway through the first quarter of a home game versus the Magic. He immediately passed it to Lowry, who took a few steps before launching the ball up the floor by performing a chest pass.

He was able to connect with Butler, who was almost at the basket. Butler received the ball and immediately shot and made a layup to end the possession.

(Skip ahead to 1:06 to view the play.)

The up-tempo style of offense has led to Butler spending 21 percent of his possessions in transition, averaging 4.7 per game. This is a dramatic increase from Butler’s first two seasons with the team, as he only spent 14.15 percent of his possessions in transition, averaging 2.7 per game.

Butler has been efficient in transition, shooting 64 percent on 3.6 shots per game. He has averaged 6.4 points per game in this offensive set, 25.6 percent of his scoring output.

His time in transition has also affected other areas of his game. Butler only spends 20.4 percent of his possessions in the pick and roll, averaging 4.7 per game. This number is significantly down from prior seasons.

Although Butler has been in the pick and roll less, the change has paid off for Butler, as he is attempting 6.9 shots in the restricted area, a 25.4 percent increase from his first two seasons with the Miami Heat.

Butler has a history of thriving in the restricted area, too, as he has made 64.4 percent of his shots on 5.1 attempts per game in the previous six seasons.

He has averaged 6.6 points in the restricted area – 31.1 percent of his total production. Butler has continued to thrive in the restricted area over the first seven games of this season, converting 72.9 percent of his attempts.

This has allowed him to average 10 points per game in that area – 40 percent of his scoring output. The presence of Lowry has clearly allowed Butler to get more clean looks at the basket for the Miami Heat.