Departure: Erik Spoelstra Announces The sudden Departure of a six-time All-Star to Sign with another.

Before the first half of an NBA game at Kaseya Centre, Jimmy Butler, a 22-year-old forward for the Miami Heat, reacts as he gets ready to shoot. VARELA, D.A. MiamiHerald.com/dvarela Having six-time All-Star Jimmy Butler play in as many games as possible is one of the Miami Heat’s main objectives for this season.

Maintain Butler’s availability, freshness, and health. A reminder of why that is at the top of the Heat’s priority list was provided by Monday’s thrilling 106-89 victory against the struggling Philadelphia 76ers at Kaseya Centre to start a three-game homestand. The 35-year-old Butler was dominant in his comeback to help the Heat reach 6-7 this season after missing four consecutive games due to a sprained right ankle.

With a season-high 30 points on 8 of 12 field goals, 1 of 1 three-pointers, and 13 of 13 foul line shots, he concluded Monday’s triumph with an eye-opening plus/minus of plus-29. He also finished with 10 rebounds, five assists, and one steal in 34 minutes. After the victory, Heat coach Erik Spoelstra remarked of Butler, “We know what the expectation is when he’s healthy.” “He really set the tone by controlling the game with his body.”