MIAMI, FLORIDA – APRIL 19: Bam Adebayo #13 and Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat look on against the Atlanta Hawks during the fourth quarter in Game Two of the Eastern Conference First Round at FTX Arena on April 19, 2022 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Most impactful players in NBA Conference Finals: Jimmy Butler, Miami Heat
Few players play with a bigger chip on their shoulder than Miami’s veteran leader. After parting ways with the Philadelphia 76ers, Jimmy Butler took his talents to South Beach. Three years have passed since Butler’s excursion to the city of Brotherly love, but Miami’s forward still uses his departure as motivation.
Becoming a champion will help validate Butler’s career. Head coach Erik Spoelstra has the tenth-year veteran running the show. Spreading the floor has been key for Miami’s offense. Assistance from role players like Tyler Herro and P.J Tucker has helped Butler maintain a 4.9 assist per game average during the postseason.
Creating his shot has also been an important part of Butler’s game. Miami’s starting forward has maintained 28.1 points per game this postseason, ranking him fourth in postseason scoring. If Jimmy Butler continues his dominant streak, the Heat could be Finals favorites.
Golden State</a> Warriors, <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/05/24/impactful-players-nba-conference-finals/2/"https://hoopshabit.com/western-conference/dallas-mavericks/">Dallas Mavericks, <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/05/24/impactful-players-nba-conference-finals/2/"https://hoopshabit.com/eastern-conference/boston-celtics/">Boston Celtics, and <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/05/24/impactful-players-nba-conference-finals/2/"https://hoopshabit.com/eastern-conference/miami-heat/">Miami Heat are the last four teams competing for the Larry O’Brien trophy. As the Eastern and Western Conference Finals come to an end, here are a few players that will serve as X-factors for their teams.</p>
<h2>Most impactful players in NBA Conference Finals: Bam Adebayo, Miami Heat</h2>
<p>It’s fair to say that the Eastern Conference Finals have been the most exciting series to watch thus far. Erik Spoelstra and Ime Udoka are involved in a chess match on the hardwood. After three straight games with more than two hundred points scored, the need for defense has never been greater. While Boston searches for their defensive anchor to protect the basket, Miami will rely more on their post threat.</p>
<p>Bam Adebayo has played an important role in this series. While on the floor, his presence creates scoring opportunities for other teammates. When his team needs him to score a basket, Bam comes through in the clutch.</p>
<p>His 14.9 points per game this postseason is ranked second on the team, and Miami’s fourth-year center has increased his field goal percentage from the regular season by 5.2%.</p>
<p>Controlling the glass has been a key component in Miami’s plan to advance to the Finals. Without Adebayo, it is nearly impossible. The Kentucky product’s 6’9 frame allows him to snag offensive and defense boards at a high clip. His 7.7 rebounds per game are the highest on the team. When Miami can rely on their big man to have <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/05/24/impactful-players-nba-conference-finals/2/"https://www.thescore.com/nba/news/2362159" target="_blank" rel="noopener">a dominant night</a>, they have a different swag.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/05/24/impactful-players-nba-conference-finals/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Jimmy Butler </a>
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<img class="size-full wp-image-444389" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/05/24/impactful-players-nba-conference-finals/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1392566607.jpeg" alt="NBA" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1392566607.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1392566607-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">MIAMI, FLORIDA – APRIL 19: Bam Adebayo #13 and Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat look on against the Atlanta Hawks during the fourth quarter in Game Two of the Eastern Conference First Round at FTX Arena on April 19, 2022 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>Most impactful players in NBA Conference Finals: Jimmy Butler, Miami Heat</h2>
<p> </p>
<p>Few players play with a bigger chip on their shoulder than Miami’s veteran leader. After parting ways with the <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/05/24/impactful-players-nba-conference-finals/2/"https://hoopshabit.com/eastern-conference/philadelphia-76ers/">Philadelphia 76ers, Jimmy Butler took his talents to South Beach. Three years have passed since Butler’s excursion to the city of Brotherly love, but Miami’s forward <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/05/24/impactful-players-nba-conference-finals/2/"https://twitter.com/KevinOConnorNBA/status/1524964232533422080" target="_blank" rel="noopener">still uses his departure as motivation</a>.</p>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">“Tobias Harris over me?” Damn Jimmy Butler 🤣🤣🤣 <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/05/24/impactful-players-nba-conference-finals/2/"https://t.co/Avvkjpglsq">pic.twitter.com/Avvkjpglsq
<p>— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/05/24/impactful-players-nba-conference-finals/2/"https://twitter.com/KevinOConnorNBA/status/1524964232533422080?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>May 13, 2022</a></p></blockquote>
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<p>Becoming a champion will help validate Butler’s career. Head coach Erik Spoelstra has the tenth-year veteran running the show. Spreading the floor has been key for Miami’s offense. Assistance from role players like Tyler Herro and P.J Tucker has helped Butler maintain a 4.9 assist per game average during the postseason.</p>
<p>Creating his shot has also been an important part of Butler’s game. Miami’s starting forward has maintained 28.1 points per game this postseason, ranking him fourth in postseason scoring. If Jimmy Butler continues his dominant streak, the Heat could be Finals favorites.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/05/24/impactful-players-nba-conference-finals/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Stephen Curry </a>
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<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:1600px;">SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – MAY 18: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors fights for the ball against Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks during the second quarter in Game One of the 2022 NBA Playoffs Western Conference Finals at Chase Center on May 18, 2022 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>Most impactful players in NBA Conference Finals: Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors</h2>
<p>Luka Doncic and the Mavericks know how it feels to let a lead slip away. In the first two games of the series, Dallas struggled to stop Stephen Curry and the Warriors in the second half.</p>
<p>Golden State’s All-Star guard has scored more than 20 points in each of the three games of this series. His four three-pointers per game average has helped the Warriors climb out of uncomfortable situations, too.</p>
<p>Making plays without the ball is also a talent of Curry. Creating good looks for open teammates has given the Warriors an edge on offense. Klay Thompson and Jordan Poole have made the most of their point guard’s 5.9 assists per game. Explosive shooting has kept the Mavericks winless during the series.</p>
<p>Hoisting the Larry O’Brien trophy will be a special moment for the players who have dedicated their season to winning a championship. Four teams are left in the playoff bracket, and it will be up to these players to make a lasting impact on their squads.</p>
<div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="StoryLink" data-theme="dark" data-text="Mavericks need help from role players to win Conference Finals" data-url="https://hoopshabit.com/2022/05/21/dallas-mavericks-conference-finals/" data-call-to-action="Next"> <div class="story-link-next"> <a class="story-link-next-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="story-link-next-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/05/24/impactful-players-nba-conference-finals/2/"https://hoopshabit.com/2022/05/21/dallas-mavericks-conference-finals/"> <span class="call_to_action">Next:</span> Mavericks need help from role players to win Conference Finals </a> </div>
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