Jimmy Butler was the best player on the floor opposite reigning NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, and the Miami Heat took Game 1 of their Eastern Conference semifinals set with the top-seeded Milwaukee Bucks.
Butler was so good that Joel Embiid appeared to wish they were still teammates on the Philadelphia 76ers.
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Butler scored a playoff career-high 40 points in the 115-104 victory, including 13 of the Heat’s last 16 points to create separation in an otherwise tightly played series opener.