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Jimmy Butler and the Miami Heat are currently 41-37 and in seventh place in the Western Conference. The Heat, who are looking to climb into the top-six and avoid the play-in tournament, got a big performance from Cody Zeller on Saturday.
With center Bam Adebayo sidelined, Zeller got the start and played more than 20 minutes for the first time in 13 games this season. He finished with 20 points and eight rebounds on 9-13 shooting, helping lead the Mavericks to a seven-point victory. Butler added 35 points, three rebounds, and 12 assists while shooting 12-16 from the field and 10-11 from the free-throw line.
Following the game, the six-time All-Star revealed the duo's nickname while speaking with the media, stating:
"He came up with it. Blackman and Robin, baby."
Jimmy Butler was then asked how Cody Zeller's screening ability helps him, adding:
"My job is really easy. He sets screens. He rolls hard as I don't know what, and you reward your big for that. Then if I'm not open, he's not open, that means somebody's in the paint and our shooters are open. That's just the way the game is played. It's simple and we just need to keep that formula going."
Check out Jimmy Butler's comments on Cody Zeller below:
The Miami Heat currently sit two games out of sixth place and avoiding the play-in tournament. They will need to gain three games on the Brooklyn Nets, who sit in sixth place and hold the tiebreaker with just four games remaining.
How has Jimmy Butler performed this season?
Jimmy Butler has appeared in 62 of the Miami Heat's 78 games this season. The six-time All-Star has averaged 22.8 points, 5.9 rebounds, 5.3 assists,1.8 steals and 0.3 blocks per game. Butler is shooting 53.4% from the field, 35.0% from 3-point range and 85.1% from the free-throw line. The four-time All-NBA Team member has 11.7 win shares thus far, marking the third season, and first since 2016-2017, in which he will finish with at least 10.0 win shares.
While the 2014-2015 Most Improved Player of the Year has played great, the Heat have struggled and appear headed to the play-in tournament. Butler is set to receive a massive increase in pay next season as his contract will rise to $45.2 million in the first year of a three-year, $146.4 million extension signed in 2021.
The five-time All-Defensive Team member will earn $52.4 million in the final year of that extension. Despite his stellar play, there has been speculation the Heat could be open to trading Butler as he will be 34 when the 2023-2024 season begins.
Watch Jimmy Butler's highlights from 2022-2023 below:
