Jimmy Butler called the Miami Heat “soft,” saying Eastern Conference champions needed a wake-up call and All-Star center Bam Adebayo to play the ball again.
Miami suffered its third consecutive loss, with a 119-111 loss to Minnesota, which entered Friday’s game with the worst record in the NBA. It was the Heat’s 10th loss in 16 games, dropping to 28-28, with 16 games remaining as they struggle to avoid the play-in round that will open the postseason.
“It’s not frustrating because we do it so often,” Butler said. “We almost wait for them, to put it in a bad way. We just think we’re a good team, and then reality hits us, we feel humiliated. And I’m glad, because that’s what this game does. Home, away.” no matter what opponent you play with, you simply enter the game thinking you are good. That’s what happens. “
“I’m glad it happened to us,” Butler said of the loss to the Timberwolves. “And if we don’t solve it, I hope he continues to welcome us.”
Butler declined to speak to reporters after several recent games, but did not hold back Friday.
“I can’t tell you which way we’re going,” Butler said. “I don’t know which team will appear on a certain night.
The victory allowed the Timberwolves to cross Houston and escape the league’s basement for the first time since January 5th. Minnesota returned to Miami 45-33 and beat the Heat 23-5 in second chance.
“We’re just soft. That’s it,” Butler said. “Don’t face melee for fear of contact. Software in general.”
Miami hosts the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday (3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN). The Heat entered the weekend in seventh place in the east, 1 în games behind the sixth place New York Knicks.
It was a roller coaster season for Miami. Key players, including Butler, lost time early due to virus issues, leading to a 7-14 start. The Heat then went 15-4, resembling the team that advanced to the NBA Finals last season.
And now comes this bad streak. Miami has expressed hope to be a playoff contender again, especially after making a deal last month for former All-Star Victor Oladipo. But he appeared in just four games with Miami and is now abandoned with a recurrence of knee problems. The team did not specify the last number or whether Oladipo will play again this season.
Miami is 4-20 when it allows 109 points or more, 24-8 when it keeps teams at 108 or less.
“We have to stop the teams on the defensive side,” Adebayo said. “The crime will solve itself.”
Butler also said he wants more from Adebayo, the All-Star 2020 that has signed a five-year extension, with 163 million dollars, which starts next season.
“I want Bam to attack the rim because no one can stand in front of him,” Butler said. “No one can stand in front of him. Go. He’s going to commit a foul or nail someone. It’s great. I like him shooting long-range shots too, but letting people get free “Play the bully ball. I like the bully ball.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.