Despite an embarrassing 111-88 home loss to the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday, six-time All-Star Jimmy Butler insists his Miami Heat team have the better squad.
These two teams have built up quite a rivalry over the 2023-2024 season with the hostility between them dating back to February 23rd when Butler was one of four players ejected towards the end of the game. After the 106-95 win for the Heat on that occasion, Butler stated: “We’ll beat them the next time too. We’re just a better team.” Those are words he may now be regretting.
The Pelicans had no problem taking care of a Heat team that have won just four of their last 10 games. New Orleans held a 10 points lead going into the fourth and pulled away in the last quarter. CJ McCollum was the standout player of the night with 30 points, 7 assists and 5 rebounds.
Butler’s earlier comment obviously ruffled some feathers within the Pelicans organization with the team’s X account sharing a comical response aimed at the Heat star.
Butler, however, reiterated his views that he believes the Heat are still the better team.
“I’m gonna stick by what I said, we’re still the better team. Can’t win them all. We should’ve won that one,” said Butler.
"I'm gonna stick by what I said, we're still the better team. Can't win them all… we'll be alright."
Jimmy Butler speaks on the Heat's home loss to the Pelicans 📷
(via @ZachWeinberger) pic.twitter.com/PVKOW1PbuZ
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) March 23, 2024
Despite a recent drop in form, the Heat remain in the playoff hunt. Erik Spoelstra’s team sit seventh in the Eastern Conference standings with a 38-32 record. They face a difficult upcoming schedule with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors up next.
