Miami Heat star small forward Jimmy Butler intends to play against the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday despite dealing with an illness.
However, the Heat will be without point guard Goran Dragic who is sick as well.
Jimmy Butler is questionable but intends to play and Goran Dragic will not play tonight. Both dealing with illness.
— Tim Reynolds (@ByTimReynolds) November 16, 2019
The Heat are 8-3 on the season, good for second place in the Eastern Conference standings.
Butler is averaging 18.8 points, 5.5 rebounds and 6.5 assists per game on the season. The four-time All-Star is shooting 46.2 percent from the field, 21.7 percent from beyond the arc and 80.3 percent from the free-throw line.
The Heat should be able to defeat the Pelicans. New Orleans will be without Lonzo Ball, JJ Redick and Brandon Ingram. No. 1 overall pick Zion Williamson, who has yet to play this season, is still out as well.
With Butler leading the way, the Heat are primed to get back to the playoffs. Miami missed the postseason in 2018-19.
As most Butler-led teams do, the Heat are playing great defense. Miami is giving up only 104.9 points per game, which is sixth in the NBA.
Butler signed a four-year, $140.8 million contract with the Heat in the offseason as part of a sign-and-trade deal with the Philadelphia 76ers. He has career averages of 16.7 points, 4.9 rebounds and 3.5 assists with the Chicago Bulls, Minnesota Timberwolves, Sixers and Miami.
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