Miami Heat: Which Jimmy Butler will we see in a pivotal Game 4 vs. Boston?

Does Jimmy Butler have to be aggressive for the Miami Heat to win Game 4?

After taking control in Game 1 against the Boston Celtics, in which he finished with 20 points, five rebounds, and five assists (and numerous key, clutch buckets), we’ve seen a much more passive Jimmy Butler for the Miami Heat.

In Game 2, there were no issues with Jimmy. Even though he didn’t come on until late (he still only finished with 14 points, four rebounds, and three assists), the Heat won and no one really seemed to question Jimmy’s tactics. It was working through two games. However, in Game 3, that all changed.

In a game that Boston led wire-to-wire and by as many as 20, Jimmy’s lack of aggressiveness was very much evident as the Heat desperately needed a non-Tyler Herro spark on the offensive end that didn’t come until the fourth quarter.

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As the Celtics eased to a victory, to come within 2-1 in the series, Jimmy Butler was at the forefront of questions.

Why was he so passive when the Heat was clearly struggling on the offensive end? Why was he not in the game during the waning moments of Game 3, when the Heat was making a comeback that would just fall short?

Questions that we still don’t know the answers to. However, assuming that Jimmy isn’t battling an unknown injury, you can’t help but question his passive approach over the last two games. Even though this is the way he’s played for the majority of the season in Miami, you expect your start to step up the most in the Eastern Conference Finals.

In Game 3, we didn’t see that from Jimmy. Heading into pivotal Game 4, which Jimmy Butler will the Heat get?

After losing Game 3, the pressure is back on Miami. Taking a 3-1 series lead vs. heading into Game 5 in a 2-2 series tie are huge differences. The Heat needs to view Game 4 as a must-win. You don’t want Boston to gain even more momentum and confidence, and you don’t want to have to essentially reset the series after four games.

Will Miami’s success depend on which Jimmy Butler we see? It depends. Going back to Game 3, one of the biggest adjustments that the Celtics made was putting an emphasis on stopping Goran Dragic. They successfully did that and Miami’s offense looked lost and out of sorts for the majority of the game.

One potential adjustment could fall on the shoulders of Jimmy in Game 4. If the Celtics will continue to focus on making life difficult for Dragic, perhaps the onus of the offense could fall on Jimmy. In that case, we almost have to see a much more aggressive Butler in order for the Heat to be successful in Game 4.

Question is, after Game 4, will we be questioning or praising Jimmy Butler?