Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler practiced on Tuesday after missing Sunday's game against the Portland Trail Blazers.

Butler didn't play versus the Blazers because of a back injury, but the Heat still defeated Portland:

The Heat are 26-10 on the season. They are in third place in the Eastern Conference standings.

In his first season with the Heat, Jimmy Butler is averaging 20.4 points, 6.9 rebounds and 6.6 assists. The four-time All-Star is shooting 42.9 percent from the field, 27.0 percent from beyond the arc and 82.1 percent from the free-throw line.

In the post-Dwyane Wade era, Miami president Pat Riley has found his new franchise player. Riley and head coach Erik Spoelstra are hoping Butler can lead the Heat back to the promised land.

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Butler’s hard-nosed style of play and personality is perfect for Miami since Riley loves that type of basketball. All the players in Miami are aware that Butler won’t be afraid to call them out if he sees something he doesn’t like and they don’t take offense to it.

As part of a sign-and-trade deal between the Heat and Philadelphia 76ers, Butler signed a four-year, $141 million deal with Miami. A lot of pundits questioned Butler’s move to South Beach. However, Butler is proving everyone wrong so far and has the Heat playing elite basketball.