Jack87 news today,Portland Trail Blazers’ Damian Lillard and Miami Heat’s Jimmy Butler battle for the ball during a game at Casea Center
That’s exactly what the Heat need. Although they’ve reached the NBA Finals twice in the past four seasons, the team has been hampered by poor offense in both series. They have to count on Jimmy Butler to carry the biggest offensive load, both offensively and scoring. At the same time, as the Heat’s best defender, he must defend the opponent’s ace. This is why Butler’s personal offensive efficiency has always fluctuated in the finals.1xbet promotion
Last season, the Heat successfully eliminated the Milwaukee Bucks, New York Knicks and Boston Celtics in the playoffs as the team’s four undrafted players Gabe Vincent, Max Ruth, Caleb Martin and Duncan Robinson all made surprising contributions on the floor. Even Kyle Lowry had some bright spots in a few games.
Now that Vincent is leaving the Los Angeles Lakers on a three-year, $33 million deal, and Struth may be joining the Cleveland Cavaliers on a four-year, $63 million deal, the Heat are definitely weaker compared to last season. On the one hand, they didn’t match offers from Vincent or Struuse as they tried to learn the lesson of signing Robinson with a five-year, $90 million extension. Additionally, the Heat have very limited cap space, so they have to bet on their best player.
Damian Lillard of the Portland Trail Blazers dribbles against the Utah Jazz
It’s unclear when Damian Lillard decided to leave Portland, as the franchise has had so many confusing moves over the years. According to The Athletic, the seven-time NBA All-Star requested a trade to leave “Rip City” and would prefer to join the Miami Heat.1xbet bonus
Lillard, who turns 33 in August, proved last season that he remains one of the most dominant scorers in the backcourt, averaging 32.2 points on 37.1 percent shooting from the field, 7.3 assists and 4.2 three-pointers. Considering the first half of the 2022-23 season he had to cut back on possession due to coach Chauncey Billups’ new system, Lillard’s explosion in the second half of the season was all the more admirable, scoring 36.1 points in January, February, including a career-high 71 points on Feb. 26 against the Houston Rockets.
Portland Trail Blazers’ Damian Lillard breaks through vs. Miami Heat
The Heat have Robinson, Tyler Herro, Lowry and Nikola Jovic to which they can add some future first-round picks. They’ll have to contend with the Brooklyn Nets, who have more first-rounders they can send to the Trail Blazers.1xbet free bet
If Lillard wants to win a ring as the team’s top player, the Heat are a better destination than the Nets. The Heat need his firepower and, thanks to their zone defense, can hide his weak link on defense better than most teams. Butler and Adebayo are both reliable ball handlers, allowing Lillard to focus on scoring.
In contrast, the Nets have a younger lineup, but it may take them a few years to form a competitive top team in the Eastern Conference. After the start of free agency, they gave Cameron Johnson a four-year, $108 million extension. The 27-year-old three-point shooter and Mikal Bridges will be the core duo for at least two years, during which time they could keep them on the fringes of the playoffs or the Eastern Conference playoffs.1xbet registration
