Kings vs. Heat: Jimmy Butler is suspended. How has Miami fared without him this season?
Jimmy Butler killed the Kings when they visited the Miami Heat on Jan. 31.
The six-time All-Star scored 31 points on 10-of-14 shooting with seven rebounds, six assists and one steal, leading the Heat to a 115-106 victory over the Kings at Kaseya Center in Miami.
The Kings won’t have to worry about Butler replicating that performance when they play host to the Heat on Monday at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento. The NBA suspended Butler, Thomas Bryant and Nikola Jovic for their roles in the melee that occurred in Miami’s 106-95 win over the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday.
Butler and Jovic will serve their one-game suspensions when the Heat (31-25) visits the Kings (32-23) on Monday. Bryant will be out as well as he begins serving a three-game suspension.
Butler, a five-time All-NBA and All-Defensive Second Team selection, has appeared in 38 games this season, averaging 21.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 1.4 steals. Miami is 20-18 with Butler in the lineup and 11-7 without him.
The Heat could be missing several other players as well. Tyler Herro (knee), Orlando Robinson (back) and Terry Rozier (knee) are listed as questionable. Josh Richardson (shoulder) and Dru Smith (knee) are out.
Scouting Sacramento
The Kings will be on the second night of a back-to-back after going on the road to beat the the Los Angeles Clippers 123-107 on Sunday.
With the win, the Kings moved up to fifth in the Western Conference, percentage points ahead of the Dallas Mavericks and Pelicans.
De’Aaron Fox is averaging 26.8 points, 4.1 rebounds, 5.6 assists and 1.9 steals. He is shooting 46.8% from the field and 37.5% from 3-point range.
Domantas Sabonis averages 20.2 points, 13.2 rebounds and 8.4 assists. He leads the league in rebounding, double-doubles (52) and triple-doubles (20).
Malik Monk (15.2 ppg), Keegan Murray (14.8 ppg), Harrison Barnes (12.1 ppg) and Kevin Huerter (12.1 ppg) are also scoring in double figures.
Scouting Miami
Miami is seventh in the Eastern Conference, one game behind the Indiana Pacers for the No. 6 seed.
Butler leads the team in scoring. Herro, is averaging 20.8 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4.4 assists. Bam Adebayo averages 20.3 points, 10.6 rebounds and 4.1 assists.
Duncan Robinson (13.4 ppg), Jaime Jaquez Jr. (12.8 ppg), Rozier (12.6 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 5.6 apg), Caleb Martin (10.0 ppg, 4.5 rpg), Richardson (9.9 ppg) and Kevin Love (8.8 ppg, 6.3 rpg) are also playing key roles.
Status updates
Miami has ruled Herro and Rozier out for Monday’s game against the Kings.
Heat at Kings
When: 7 p.m.
Where: Golden 1 Center
TV: NBC Sports California
Radio: Sactown Sports 1140
Odds: Kings -7.5
Over/under: 226.5
Injury report
Heat: QUESTIONABLE — Tyler Herro (knee); Orlando Robinson (back); Terry Rozier (knee). OUT — Thomas Bryant (suspension); Jimmy Butler (suspension); Nikola Jovic (suspension); Josh Richardson (shoulder); Dru Smith (knee).
Kings: Not yet submitted.
Upcoming schedule
Feb. 26 vs. Miami Heat
Feb. 28 at Denver Nuggets
March 1 at Minnesota Timberwolves
March 4 vs. Chicago Bulls
March 6 at Los Angeles Lakers
