Lauri Markkanen Shows Off Fancy Footwork In Drive To The Hoop
Jan 4, 2025, 6:40 PM | Updated: Jan 6, 2025, 2:35 pm
MIAMI, Florida – Lauri Markkanen showed his Finnish roots, resorting to a euro-step to get an easy bucket after going coast-to-coast to even the matters at 15 in Miami.
The Jazz (7-25) take on the Heat (17-15) in Kaseya Center on Saturday, January 4.
RELATED: Utah Jazz Vs. Miami Heat Blog
kaunis 😍🇫🇮#TakeNote | @markkanenlauri pic.twitter.com/whuAc3XT7H
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) January 5, 2025
The Finnisher leads Utah alongside birthday bull Collin Sexton with five points. John Collins returned to the starting lineup from a five-game absence. In seven minutes, Collins added four points, three boards, and a highlight block.
The Jazz started slowly but held up defensively during an evenly matched opening period. Miami shot 36 percent from the floor compared to 29 percent for Utah.
The score is 22-22 after one quarter.
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Heat Suspend Jimmy Butler
Six years in Miami appears to be enough for the relationship between the franchise and disgruntled 35-year-old forward Jimmy Butler. The Heat suspended Butler on Friday, January 3, for ‘conduct detrimental to the team’ after Butler suggested he could not find his joy on the court again with Miami.
The suspension is technically for seven games, but it seems unlikely that Butler will play another game for the team. The NBA Players Association indicated they would appeal the suspension.
Miami HEAT statement on Jimmy Butler:
We have suspended Jimmy Butler for seven games for multiple instances of conduct detrimental to the team over the course of the season and particularly the last several weeks.
— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) January 4, 2025
How will Miami respond without their franchise cornerstone of the last half-decade?
If he never plays another game for the Heat, Butler ends his tenure with averages of 21.1 points, 6.1 rebounds, 5.7 assists, and 1.7 steals. Butler was the anchor for two Miami NBA Finals appearances.
Tonight is the team’s first game without Butler.
Follow the Utah Jazz with KSL Sports
Tonight’s game against the Heat is being televised on KJZZ, streamed on Jazz+, and heard on 97.5 The KSL Sports Zone.
Ben Anderson is the Utah Jazz insider for KSL Sports and the co-host of Jake and Ben from 10-12p with Jake Scott on 97.5 The KSL Sports Zone. Find Ben on Twitter at @BensHoops, on Instagram @BensHoops, or on BlueSky.
Find sports.ksl.com coverage of the Utah Jazz here.
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Brian Preece is a sports.ksl.com insider covering Locals in MLB and Salt Lake Bees. Follow Brian’s Bees and Beehive baseball coverage here.
