Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler has been ruled out of Game 5 against the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday due to right knee inflammation. The injury means Miami will attempt to close out the series without Butler and Kyle Lowry, who also missed Game 4 with a hamstring injury.
Miami was favored by 7.5 points prior to the Butler news. That number is now down to 3.5 points on Tipico Sportsbook, but the Eastern Conference’s top seed is still be favored to topple an Atlanta team that hasn’t been able to get into a rhythm against their stifling defense.
Miami Heat (-3.5)Butler’s absence is a double whammy because of his impact on both ends of the floor. Though others like Bam Adebayo and P.J. Tucker (questionable for Game 5) contribute to Miami’s defensive dominance, Butler plays a big role too. And he’s been averaging 30.5 points per game as their go-to scorer.
Jimmy Butler OUT tonight with right knee inflammation.
— Tim Reynolds (@ByTimReynolds) April 26, 2022
If Lowry were playing, I’d be inclined to stick with Miami’s moneyline, as he’d be able to pick up some of the scoring and playmaking duties of Butler. With both out, I think Trae Young gets loose and the Hawks find a way to steal a win and send the series back to Atlanta for Game 6.
