One of the biggest surprises in the NBA playoffs thus far is the Miami Heat giving the top-seeded Milwaukee Bucks all they can handle in the first round.
The Heat barely made the playoffs, as Jimmy Butler and company had to pave their way to the postseason through the Play-in Tournament, where the team initially lost to the Atlanta Hawks.
Despite being major underdogs in this first-round playoff series against the mighty Bucks, Miami has far exceeded expectations, with Butler putting on a show for the storied NBA franchise.
Although superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo has been dealing with a back injury due to a nasty fall in Game 1, the Bucks have not been able to contain the Heat without him, and Butler has flourished in the meantime.
Joy Taylor of Fox Sports believes that Butler doesn’t get enough respect, and after an incredible 56-point performance, she might be right.
.@JoyTaylorTalks: Jimmy Butler doesn't get enough respect. pic.twitter.com/Oldkr289fe
— Speak (@SpeakOnFS1) April 25, 2023
Butler is coming off one of the greatest performances in NBA playoff history, and that’s not an exaggeration.
The veteran forward was virtually unstoppable on Monday night in Miami as he scored a career-high 56 points on 19-of-28 shooting with nine rebounds and two assists.
Even with Antetokounmpo back in the fold, the Bucks had no answer for Butler, who scored at will every time down the floor as he willed his team to victory and a 3-1 series lead over Milwaukee.
On Tuesday, Butler and company will try to pull off the biggest playoff-series upset in recent memory, as he’ll try to lead the Heat to victory over the Bucks in Milwaukee in Game 5.
NEXT: Jimmy Butler Gives Honest Thoughts About His Playoff Nickname
