Utah Jazz Control First Half Against Miami Heat
Jan 4, 2025, 7:18 PM | Updated: Jan 6, 2025, 2:35 pm
MIAMI, Florida – Playing its first game since suspending six-time All-Star Jimmy Butler, the Miami Heat’s offense looked punchless against a struggling Utah defense as the Jazz grabbed a 62-41 halftime lead.
The Jazz (7-25) take on the Heat (17-15) in Kaseya Center on Saturday, January 4.
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passes 🎯 on 🎯 point pic.twitter.com/zJ3c2kxu3j
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) January 5, 2025
Utah had possessions in the second quarter that would have made Hickory High coach Norman Dale proud as they ran circles around a listless Heat team. The Jazz assisted on half their 26 baskets while shooting 49.1 percent in the first 24 minutes.
Brice Sensabaugh came off the bench to lift a slow-starting offense, hitting 5-of-7 shots for 12 points. The second-year guard added five rebounds and an assist in ten minutes.
fire & brice pic.twitter.com/lomlDMzR7u
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) January 5, 2025
After missing five games, John Collins scored 10 points, grabbed seven boards, and made two blocks. All ten Jazz players who saw the floor in the first half scored.
Nikola Jovic (12 points) and Tyler Herro (11 points) lead the Heat.
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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.
